Twitch data leak exposes earnings information and pay-out lists

The recently reported Twitch data leak is understood to have exposed the earnings information for streamers, whose data is now said to be circulating on pay-out lists on the internet.

Earnings and pay-out information for the streamers affected is personal data that they should be allowed to have full control over. The fact that it has now been exposed means that those affected could be eligible to pursue a claim for data breach compensation. For anyone eligible for a legal case, we are able to offer No Win, No Fee arrangements.

Read on for more advice and information, and please do not hesitate to contact the team for free, no-obligation help now.

Twitch data leak – what has happened?

We are still in the early days of this breaking news story, but from what we understand about the Twitch data leak so far:

• Information has been exposed possibly due to a “server configuration” issue;
• Hackers have been able to exploit what may have been weaknesses in order to expose the data in question;
• Earnings information for Twitch streamers has been exposed, and pay-outs lists of 125GB in size are said to be being circulated on social media;
• Some additional server, history and maintenance information for the Amazon-owned platform has also reportedly been included.

It is understood that Twitch prides itself on its ability to keep the earnings information for streamers confidential, with some earning millions from their activities on the platform. Their efforts appear to now be in vain given the huge wealth of data exposed in this information leak, and those affected are no doubt worried about the consequences.

What can victims of the data leak do?

It has not yet been confirmed as to whether the matter has been reported to the UK’s data watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). We expect that it will need to be reported to them given the nature of the news about the breach so far.

What we can see is that this appears to be a breach of the GDPR. If an error has led to the information being exposed, or where weaknesses have been exploited by hackers, the responsibility for this is on the platform. As such, streamers affected by the Twitch data leak whose earnings information has been exposed, and/or whose pay-out details are circulating on lists, can be entitled to justice. For anyone affected in England and Wales, this can mean victims being entitled to bring a claim for data breach compensation.

You do not have to have suffered any financial loss to be able to pursue such a case. Victims could be eligible to receive damages for any distress caused by the loss of control of their personal information.

No Win, No Fee legal representation

For anyone in England or Wales who has been affected by the Twitch data leak, we may be able to represent you for a legal case for compensation on a No Win, No Fee basis. This means that we can take the case on and we can write off our legal fees if the claim doesn’t succeed, subject to the terms and conditions as agreed.

Please do not hesitate to contact the team for free, no-obligation advice now.