Hackers have stolen a 'significant amount of personal data' from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).
The personal data of people who applied to the Legal Aid Agency since 2010, including criminal records, was accessed and downloaded in a cyber attack in April this year, the MoJ has said.
The group that carried out the attack has claimed it accessed 2.1 million pieces of data but the MoJ has not verified that figure, it is understood.
The Government became aware of a cyber attack on the Legal Aid Agency's online digital services on April 23, but realised on Friday that it was more extensive than originally thought.
The data accessed may include contact details and addresses of legal aid applicants, their dates of birth, national insurance numbers, criminal history, employment status and financial data such as contribution amounts, debts and payments.
