TechRichard Bransonvirginuk tech

Virgin Media Email Bcc Mistake Bombards Customers With 1000s Of Unwanted Messages

CC: Virgin Media Made A Spectacular Email Balls-Up
Huffington Post UK
|

Virgin Media made a monumental balls-up on Wednesday when a rookie mistake meant 135,000 people were bombarded with hundreds of unwanted emails.

The problem was caused by one of the company's suppliers mistakenly sending out an email, which if it was replied to was sent to all the other people in the group.

Virgin Media insisted only a "small proportion" of its customers were affected and have apologised profusely.

Customers reacted angrily to the data breach, complaining it meant that their email address was visible for thousands to see.

Liz French said: "As a leading technology provider, I find it indefensible that Virgin can allow an error on this scale to occur.

"Not only did it inconvenience many thousands of people and compromise their online security, it may well have cost small businesses both money and customers. At no point did Virgin get in contact with those affected or issue an apology. I hope the Data Commissioner looks into this very seriously."

A Virgin Media spokeswoman confirmed the email address had been disabled.

She said: "A small proportion of our customers have received an email from one of our suppliers which, if they reply-all, it is sent to a wider group. We're investigating exactly what has happened and, in the meantime, advise people not to respond to this email. We apologise for the inconvenience caused."

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story said it was a Bcc error. A Virgin spokesman said: "It’s important to be clear a list of email addresses was not exposed. It is NOT a bcc error. Only if you received the email and then replied-to-all would your individual email – and only yours – be sent to a wider group.".

Virgin Galactic: Progress In Pictures
Virgin Galactic Third Supersonic Test Flight(01 of12)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Virgin)
Virgin Galactic Third Supersonic Test Flight(02 of12)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Virgin)
Virgin Galactic Third Supersonic Test Flight(03 of12)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Virgin)
(04 of12)
Open Image Modal
FILE - In this April 29, 2013 photo provided by Virgin Galactic, the company's SpaceShipTwo fires its rockets over Mojave, Calif. after it was dropped from its "mothership," WhiteKnightTwo. It is one of several new private ventures that involve taking people into outer space for a price, ventures that many hope will become as lucrative as they are revolutionary. And that prospect has California racing other states to woo new space companies with cushy incentives. (AP Photo/Virgin Galactic, Mark Greenberg, file) (credit:AP)
(05 of12)
Open Image Modal
FILE - This Oct. 17, 2011 file photo shows the Spaceport America hangar behind the Virgin Galactic's jet-powered carrier aircraft WhiteKnightTwo, in Upham, N.M. It is a part of one of several new private ventures that involve taking people into outer space for a price, ventures that many hope will become as lucrative as they are revolutionary. And that prospect has California racing other states to woo new space companies with cushy incentives. (AP Photo/Matt York, File) (credit:AP)
(06 of12)
Open Image Modal
This photo provided by Virgin Galactic shows Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo under rocket power, its first ever since the program began in 2005. The spacecraft was dropped from its "mothership," WhiteKnightTwo, over Mojave, Calif., on Monday, April 29, 2013. The spaceship, bankrolled by British tycoon Sir Richard Branson, made its first powered flight in a test that moves Virgin Galactic toward its goal of flying into space later this year. While SpaceShipTwo did not break out of the atmosphere during the test flight, it marked a significant milestone for Virgin Galactic, which intends to take passengers on suborbital joyrides. (AP Photo/Virgin Galactic, Mark Greenberg) (credit:AP)
(07 of12)
Open Image Modal
FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2009 file photo, Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo, a spacecraft designed to rocket tourists into space, is unveiled in Mojave, Calif. It is one of several new private ventures that involve taking people into outer space for a price, ventures that many hope will become as lucrative as they are revolutionary. And that prospect has California racing other states to woo new space companies with cushy incentives. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, file) (credit:AP)
Richard Branson(08 of12)
Open Image Modal
British billionaire Richard Branson poses for the photographers in the window of a replica of the Virgin Galactic, which according to the company will be the worlds first commercial spaceline, at the Farnborough International Airshow in Farnborough, England, Wednesday, July 11, 2012.Virgin Galactic announced LauncherOne, a new air-launched rocket specifically designed to deliver small satellites into orbit. Commercial flights of the new orbital launch vehicle are expected to begin by 2016, Virgin Galactic aims to offer frequent and dedicated launches at the worlds lowest prices. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) (credit:AP)
Richard Branson(09 of12)
Open Image Modal
British billionaire Richard Branson poses for the photographers beside a replica of the Virgin Galactic, which according to the company will be the worlds first commercial spaceline, at the Farnborough International Airshow in Farnborough, England, Wednesday, July 11, 2012.Virgin Galactic announced LauncherOne, a new air-launched rocket specifically designed to deliver small satellites into orbit. Commercial flights of the new orbital launch vehicle are expected to begin by 2016, Virgin Galactic aims to offer frequent and dedicated launches at the worlds lowest prices. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) (credit:AP)
Farnborough International Airshow(10 of12)
Open Image Modal
Sir Richard Branson speaks to the media about the Virgin Galactic Space tourism programme at the Farnborough International Airshow 2012 in Hampshire. (credit:PA)
(11 of12)
Open Image Modal
FILE - In this photo released Oct. 10, 2010 by Virgin Galactic, the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo, or VSS Enterprise, is released from the mothership, WhiteKnight2, over Mojave, Calif. The Federal Aviation Administration has given an experimental permit to Virgin Galactic's space vehicles. The company said powered test flights were expected toward the end of the year. (AP Photo/Clay Observatory, File) (credit:AP)
Richard Branson(12 of12)
Open Image Modal
Richard Branson, founder of the Branson Group, talks during an interview, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011 in his company's New York office. Branson is promoting his book, "Screw Business as Usual." On the wall is a photograph of White Knight II, an aircraft built by Virgin Galactic. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) (credit:AP)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip