Possible class action after Freedom of Information web breach in N.S.

HALIFAX – A Nova Scotia law firm is investigating the potential for a class action lawsuit following a breach of the province’s freedom-of-information Internet portal affecting thousands of sensitive documents.

Between March 3 and March 5, approximately 7,000 documents — containing birth dates, social insurance numbers, addresses and government services’ client information — were inappropriately accessed.

Lawyer Ray Wagner says it’s concerning that such information was compromised and accessed so readily, and that government delayed informing the public.

The government waited nearly a week to inform the public, while police began their investigation.

A Halifax man was charged last week.

Wagner says anyone who lives in Nova Scotia and is concerned that their information was inappropriately accessed, should contact his law firm.