Media Law

Privacy & Data Protection Solicitors in London

Media Law

Overview

In today’s digital age, more personal information than ever is shared online and once it’s out there, it can be nearly impossible to contain. What was once private can become public in a moment.

At Taylor Hampton, our expert privacy & data protection solicitors in London handle all aspects of privacy law, misuse of private information, data breaches, and GDPR enforcement. Whether you’re a public figure or a private individual, we help you protect your private life, reputation, and data rights.

Media Law

Why Privacy Protection Matters

A person’s private life is meant to be just that,it is not meant to be public entertainment. Those who have experienced an invasion of privacy often describe feeling exposed, violated, and powerless. The law has evolved significantly in the last two decades from being an offshoot of the general law of confidence to a discrete tort of misuse of private information; capable of powerful protection by the courts.

We see all kinds of privacy intrusions:

Intimate or personal details published in the press or online
Paparazzi photos or surveillance intrusion
Leaked communications, private messages or correspondence
Unauthorized publishing of sensitive personal data
Re-publication of private images or videos without consent

Taylor Hampton has a track record of successfully acting in high-impact privacy cases from our work in landmark rulings such as Gulati v MGN, where there was a fourfold increase in privacy damages awarded by the court.

Media Law

Early Action & Preventative Steps

The best outcome often comes from acting before publication. Our privacy attorneys can:

Correspond urgently with potential publishers or authors
Seek contractual undertakings to destroy or hand back private material
Apply for injunctions or court orders preventing publication

Unlike in libel actions the court is not concerned in privacy cases with truth or falsity; if the information is deemed private (except for example in relation to public interest considerations) the courts will protect it.

Swift intervention can stop harm before it spreads.

Media Law

Removal & Takedown

If private information has already been published,“online or in print” we work to:

Remove or take down content (websites, social media, blogs)
Track down anonymous or pseudonymous publishers
Use legal mechanisms to force disclosure of identities and enforce removal

Even when content is posted anonymously, we can often unmask the author or intermediary and hold them accountable.

Media Law

Data Protection & GDPR Claims

Privacy law alone doesn’t cover all forms of misuse. When personal data is processed unlawfully, data protection laws come into play under the UK GDPR / Data Protection Act 2018.

Your key rights under GDPR include:

The right to be informed about how your data is used
The right of access to see your data
The right to rectification of inaccurate data
The right to erasure (the “right to be forgotten”)
The right to restrict processing
The right to data portability
The right to object to processing
The right not to be subject to automated decision-making / profiling

If a data controller (e.g. a website, search engine, or publisher) fails in these duties, we can help you:

Request rectification or deletion of personal data
Claim compensation for unlawful processing
Challenge decision-making systems or profiling
Liaise with regulators like the ICO

Media Law

Legal Tests & Key Elements

To pursue a misuse of private information claim (or breach of data protection), you generally need to show:

You had a reasonable expectation of privacy about the information
The disclosure was unauthorized or improper
Harm or distress resulted
The court must balance your right to privacy versus the defendant’s right to freedom of expression (Article 10 Human Rights)
In GDPR claims: a breach of specific statutory duties

The law is technical, and each case depends on its facts — you should seek legal advice promptly.

Media Law

Why Choose Taylor Hampton?

Deep expertise in privacy, data protection, and media law
Landmark case experience (press intrusion, major media groups)
Handling both individuals and organisations, parties in the public eye and private clients
Rapid response and discreet handling
Holistic strategy: combining privacy law, defamation, and data protection where needed

Media Law

Frequently Asked Questions

What is misuse of private information?

It’s a legal tort protecting private or personal information from wrongful publication or exposure.

How long do I have to bring a privacy claim?

Typically up to six years from the date of publication (for misuse claims).

Can I act if I don’t know who published something?

Yes — courts can order disclosure from intermediaries or platforms.

Can I force Google or social media to remove private content?

Often yes — via takedown requests, court orders, or data protection claims.

What defences can the other side use?

They may argue you had no reasonable expectation of privacy, or that disclosure is justified in the public interest (Article 10).

Speak to our team

Speak to a Privacy & Data Protection Solicitor Today

If your private life has been exposed, time is of the essence. Contact Taylor Hampton’s expert privacy solicitors in London today for confidential advice and action.

Client testimonials

What our clients say

All testimonials

Among the small number well known to this court as practitioners in the field of media law.

Senior High Court Media Judge

My experiences with Taylor Hampton were one-hundred percent positive. We could not have hoped to find a better lawyer.

Dr Knight

Taylor Hampton offered an efficient and highly professional service, founded on sound advice and an excellent understanding of relevant law, which secured a highly satisfactory outcome to my case.

Anonymous Client

Media Law