When emailing users about a data breach, prioritize promptness, transparency, and providing actionable information. Notify only affected individuals, excluding unsubscribes and ensuring data has been deleted when possible. Send communications in batches, starting with the most active users, and consider a dedicated subdomain. Describe the nature of the breach, the compromised data, potential risks, and remediation measures. Provide contact information for further inquiries and guide users on protecting themselves. Secure systems, fix vulnerabilities, notify law enforcement if needed, and comply with regulations like GDPR and FCRA. An apology and a clear, jargon-free explanation are vital, along with actions taken to prevent recurrence. Transparency and fulfilling promised actions foster trust and mitigate negative reactions.
13 marketer opinions
When emailing users about a data breach, prioritize transparency, speed, and clarity. Notify affected individuals as soon as possible, providing comprehensive details about the breach including what happened, what data was compromised, potential risks, and steps taken to resolve the issue. Offer guidance on how users can protect themselves and consider providing support or services like credit monitoring. Segment your audience, excluding unsubscribes and hard bounces, and send emails in batches to avoid deliverability issues. Proactively inform ISPs, use a dedicated subdomain, and consult legal and ESP teams. Always apologize, explain the vulnerability, and act transparently.
Marketer view
Email marketer from Reddit suggests being honest and upfront about the breach, detailing exactly what happened and what information was compromised. Also, provide clear steps the customer can take to protect themselves and offer support.
5 Sep 2024 - Reddit
Marketer view
Email marketer from heimdalsecurity.com shares that the notification should include: What happened, When it happened, What information was involved, What you are doing to resolve the problem, What they can do to protect themselves.
26 Dec 2022 - heimdalsecurity.com
2 expert opinions
When emailing users about a data breach, transparency and timely communication are paramount. Inform affected individuals as soon as the compromise is known, providing honest details about what occurred. To avoid overwhelming systems and ensure deliverability, stagger communications, prioritizing the most active users first. Outline the actions you will take to support affected users and ensure you follow through, as transparency builds trust and prevents further anger.
Expert view
Expert from Spam Resource explains it's important to tell people as soon as you know about the compromise, and what happened. Be honest, explain what you will do for them, and also do it. The important thing is to be transparent. If you don't let people know what's happening, they will be very angry at you.
12 Jan 2022 - Spam Resource
Expert view
Expert from Email Geeks recommends to not do all the mail at once, spread it out over time, don’t just drop a bomb of mail to everyone at once, and to start with the most active addresses and then work backwards.
14 Aug 2023 - Email Geeks
4 technical articles
When emailing users about a data breach, regulatory documentation emphasizes clear communication, prompt action, and comprehensive disclosure. Describe the nature of the breach, contact information for further inquiries, potential consequences, and measures taken to address the breach. Secure systems, fix vulnerabilities, notify law enforcement (if necessary), and review compliance with regulations like the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Notify supervisory authorities within mandated timeframes (e.g., 72 hours under GDPR) and communicate with affected individuals, especially when there's a high risk to their rights and freedoms. Include details about the information compromised, the organization's response, and steps users can take to protect themselves.
Technical article
Documentation from Australian Government explains that data breach notification emails should include: The nature of the breach, The kind of information concerned, What the organisation has done to respond to the breach, What steps individuals can take to protect themselves.
19 Aug 2023 - oaic.gov.au
Technical article
Documentation from GDPR explains that you must without undue delay and, where feasible, not later than 72 hours after having become aware of it, notify the personal data breach to the supervisory authority. Communicate the personal data breach to the data subject when the personal data breach is likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons.
16 Aug 2021 - GDPR
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