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Original poster

First job to apply for in 18 years, and my personal details have possibly be shared, with other applicants!

15 replies

Tahlbias · 18/10/2026 21:44

*been

I've been Teaching Assistant for 18 years. I love my job, but the pay is awful. I'd been thinking of getting another job, with more money. I applied for a support worker role, for a well known charity.

I had an email the other day, to say that I am through to the interview stage. I went onto the portal to choose a date and time they had allocated, as instructed, then I received an email confirmation that had my CV attached. Not long after, I received 2 email confirmations from 2 other applicants, which also contained their CV's, with their personal details.

I have emailed, to log a complaint and I have cancelled my interview. I am really concerned that my details could have also been shared with other applicants as theirs have with me!

AIBU to be really concerned?

OP posts:
Terfedout · 18/10/2026 21:45

That's awful!

24Dogcuddler · 19/10/2026 05:54

This is a breach of GDPR law. Although likely a mistake, once you have made them aware they should report themselves to the ICO.
Did they retract the email? You could make sure someone senior is aware of the breach or you could complain yourself.

https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/report-a-breach/

Greatexpect · 19/10/2026 06:11

It’s terrible, yes. Cancel and report the gdpr breach.

what is it you are particularly concerned will happen if your cv has been sent to other candidates?

CrowMate · 19/10/2026 06:14

I would be unhappy too. But it’s likely a technical issue and nothing to do with the people you’d be working with. Why did you cancel the interview?

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 19/10/2026 06:17

24Dogcuddler · 19/10/2026 05:54

This is a breach of GDPR law. Although likely a mistake, once you have made them aware they should report themselves to the ICO.
Did they retract the email? You could make sure someone senior is aware of the breach or you could complain yourself.

https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/report-a-breach/

It's a data breach but unlikely to meet the threshold for reporting to the ICO imo. They would need to do a risk assessment.

Cancelling the interview seems like an overreaction to me, but fair enough if you don't really want the job anyway.

tomorrowfollowstoday · 19/10/2026 06:17

That's very poor, how stressful!
Have they responded to you at all or has your email only just gone in?

Original poster
Tahlbias · 19/10/2026 07:39

tomorrowfollowstoday · 19/10/2026 06:17

That's very poor, how stressful!
Have they responded to you at all or has your email only just gone in?

I sent an email Friday evening. The request has been logged and I'm hoping to hear from them today.

OP posts:
Original poster
Tahlbias · 19/10/2026 07:43

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 19/10/2026 06:17

It's a data breach but unlikely to meet the threshold for reporting to the ICO imo. They would need to do a risk assessment.

Cancelling the interview seems like an overreaction to me, but fair enough if you don't really want the job anyway.

Show quote history

As my husband said, if I really love my job, I don't need to change it. I was terrified looking and applying for a new job. The job I have now, I was a student in the school and they gave me the job, straight from college. (No interview was needed) Applying for this job, and getting to the interview stage is massive for me, but I won't be working for a charity that has red flags from the off. Whether it's a technical issue or not, someone may have all of my details, as I have theirs.

OP posts:
MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 19/10/2026 07:45

Tahlbias · 19/10/2026 07:43

As my husband said, if I really love my job, I don't need to change it. I was terrified looking and applying for a new job. The job I have now, I was a student in the school and they gave me the job, straight from college. (No interview was needed) Applying for this job, and getting to the interview stage is massive for me, but I won't be working for a charity that has red flags from the off. Whether it's a technical issue or not, someone may have all of my details, as I have theirs.

Show quote history

Fair enough. There is no obligation to pursue it if you don't want to.

Regarding the other people's personal details - you should delete these if you haven't already done so, and delete from your deleted items as well.

Thiscouldbe · 19/10/2026 08:02

I think I’d follow up with them to understand what happened and why. It might be that you have received the other candidates details but they haven’t received yours.
As for red flags, yes this is a data breach and someone has messed up. However, I would be very surprised if everyone in your school handles personal data perfectly all of the time. I can’t remember the statistic but a large percentage of complaints to the ICO relate to schools or hospitals. Your school might have perfect systems in place and none of the staff might ever make a mistake but it’s unlikely - yet you are still happy to work for them.

TrainEtiquette · 19/10/2026 08:09

Obviously this shouldn’t have happened but what exactly are you concerned is going to happen? Are you planning to do anything with the other applicants’ information. I presume not so why do you think they are going to do anything with yours? They will presumably just delete the information the same as you. It’s annoying but really nothing to worry about.

PinkFrogss · 19/10/2026 08:12

I would try not to be too worried, even if your details have been shared with other candidates what do you think they would do with them?

If you’re not that fussed about the job then fair enough to cancel the interview. Make sure you delete the emails with details from the other candidates, including deleting them from your deleted folder, and wait to hear back about your complaint.

Lemonfrost · 19/10/2026 08:24

It's not great, but it does rather seem like it gave you the excuse you wanted to cancel the interview.

Sunbringer · 19/10/2026 08:39

Are you normally quite an anxious person? Only ever working in the same place you went to school is quite insular and I can see why you’d feel scared to leave a place you consider safe for the wider world.

I do think it’s worth experiencing more than one place though. You only have one life.

Original poster
Tahlbias · 19/10/2026 16:08

Sunbringer · 19/10/2026 08:39

Are you normally quite an anxious person? Only ever working in the same place you went to school is quite insular and I can see why you’d feel scared to leave a place you consider safe for the wider world.

I do think it’s worth experiencing more than one place though. You only have one life.

I am normally quite an anxious person and I do believe that there is more out there, but I do love my job!

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