Fired for gross misconduct because I sent confidential information to personal mailbox - how do I get another...











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I was dismissed for a breach of confidentiality. I was working on some client confidential information on my client issued laptop and I emailed this info to my personal mailbox as I wanted to continue doing work on my personal laptop; I couldn't take my work laptop away whilst on extended leave overseas. I work within the tech/analytics field. The employer has a policy against this and everyone working there has signed that they read the policy. I just wasn't thinking at the moment I sent the information.



There are no legal ramifications or civil lawsuits at this stage as it wasn't trade secrets or secret IP.



With regards to getting a new job within the software engineering/analytics/data science field, I wouldn't lie on application form and in interviews if asked why I left my old job.



But how do I explain this to show I learnt from my mistake and get a new job ?



Wouldn't employers just throw my application to the bin once I declare I have been dismissed for gross misconduct?










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  • 3




    No legal ramifications or civil lawsuits at this stage as it wasn't trade secrets or secret IP. The information was work i was working on at the moment and I emailed it as I needed to do work on my personal laptop ; I couldn't take my work station away whilst on extended leave overseas.
    – user10433947
    12 hours ago






  • 29




    Ok, so a dumb mistake instead of actual malicious action.
    – Borgh
    12 hours ago






  • 8




    Thanks @gnat. The link you sent is asking if it is possible to be rehired into the same employer. I am asking more generally with regards to other employers. I highly doubt my ex employer would rehire me
    – user10433947
    12 hours ago






  • 1




    I feel that the question remains unclear about precisely what aspect of your conduct got you fired, and why. "Confidential information" could be anything from a million patients' health records to a couple of hundred lines of banal business application source code you'd written for a client of no real sensitivity or conceivable value to any attacker. You don't explain whether you were fired for putting that data on a personal laptop at all or for doing so via personal email. You also don't indicate whether you could reasonably realise that the information needed to be kept secure.
    – Mark Amery
    6 hours ago








  • 1




    Possible duplicate of In a job interview, how do I explain why I was fired?
    – Dukeling
    5 hours ago















up vote
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I was dismissed for a breach of confidentiality. I was working on some client confidential information on my client issued laptop and I emailed this info to my personal mailbox as I wanted to continue doing work on my personal laptop; I couldn't take my work laptop away whilst on extended leave overseas. I work within the tech/analytics field. The employer has a policy against this and everyone working there has signed that they read the policy. I just wasn't thinking at the moment I sent the information.



There are no legal ramifications or civil lawsuits at this stage as it wasn't trade secrets or secret IP.



With regards to getting a new job within the software engineering/analytics/data science field, I wouldn't lie on application form and in interviews if asked why I left my old job.



But how do I explain this to show I learnt from my mistake and get a new job ?



Wouldn't employers just throw my application to the bin once I declare I have been dismissed for gross misconduct?










share|improve this question









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user10433947 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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  • 3




    No legal ramifications or civil lawsuits at this stage as it wasn't trade secrets or secret IP. The information was work i was working on at the moment and I emailed it as I needed to do work on my personal laptop ; I couldn't take my work station away whilst on extended leave overseas.
    – user10433947
    12 hours ago






  • 29




    Ok, so a dumb mistake instead of actual malicious action.
    – Borgh
    12 hours ago






  • 8




    Thanks @gnat. The link you sent is asking if it is possible to be rehired into the same employer. I am asking more generally with regards to other employers. I highly doubt my ex employer would rehire me
    – user10433947
    12 hours ago






  • 1




    I feel that the question remains unclear about precisely what aspect of your conduct got you fired, and why. "Confidential information" could be anything from a million patients' health records to a couple of hundred lines of banal business application source code you'd written for a client of no real sensitivity or conceivable value to any attacker. You don't explain whether you were fired for putting that data on a personal laptop at all or for doing so via personal email. You also don't indicate whether you could reasonably realise that the information needed to be kept secure.
    – Mark Amery
    6 hours ago








  • 1




    Possible duplicate of In a job interview, how do I explain why I was fired?
    – Dukeling
    5 hours ago













up vote
39
down vote

favorite
1









up vote
39
down vote

favorite
1






1





I was dismissed for a breach of confidentiality. I was working on some client confidential information on my client issued laptop and I emailed this info to my personal mailbox as I wanted to continue doing work on my personal laptop; I couldn't take my work laptop away whilst on extended leave overseas. I work within the tech/analytics field. The employer has a policy against this and everyone working there has signed that they read the policy. I just wasn't thinking at the moment I sent the information.



There are no legal ramifications or civil lawsuits at this stage as it wasn't trade secrets or secret IP.



With regards to getting a new job within the software engineering/analytics/data science field, I wouldn't lie on application form and in interviews if asked why I left my old job.



But how do I explain this to show I learnt from my mistake and get a new job ?



Wouldn't employers just throw my application to the bin once I declare I have been dismissed for gross misconduct?










share|improve this question









New contributor




user10433947 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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I was dismissed for a breach of confidentiality. I was working on some client confidential information on my client issued laptop and I emailed this info to my personal mailbox as I wanted to continue doing work on my personal laptop; I couldn't take my work laptop away whilst on extended leave overseas. I work within the tech/analytics field. The employer has a policy against this and everyone working there has signed that they read the policy. I just wasn't thinking at the moment I sent the information.



There are no legal ramifications or civil lawsuits at this stage as it wasn't trade secrets or secret IP.



With regards to getting a new job within the software engineering/analytics/data science field, I wouldn't lie on application form and in interviews if asked why I left my old job.



But how do I explain this to show I learnt from my mistake and get a new job ?



Wouldn't employers just throw my application to the bin once I declare I have been dismissed for gross misconduct?







interviewing new-job applications references tech-industry






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edited 5 hours ago









dwizum

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asked 12 hours ago









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  • 3




    No legal ramifications or civil lawsuits at this stage as it wasn't trade secrets or secret IP. The information was work i was working on at the moment and I emailed it as I needed to do work on my personal laptop ; I couldn't take my work station away whilst on extended leave overseas.
    – user10433947
    12 hours ago






  • 29




    Ok, so a dumb mistake instead of actual malicious action.
    – Borgh
    12 hours ago






  • 8




    Thanks @gnat. The link you sent is asking if it is possible to be rehired into the same employer. I am asking more generally with regards to other employers. I highly doubt my ex employer would rehire me
    – user10433947
    12 hours ago






  • 1




    I feel that the question remains unclear about precisely what aspect of your conduct got you fired, and why. "Confidential information" could be anything from a million patients' health records to a couple of hundred lines of banal business application source code you'd written for a client of no real sensitivity or conceivable value to any attacker. You don't explain whether you were fired for putting that data on a personal laptop at all or for doing so via personal email. You also don't indicate whether you could reasonably realise that the information needed to be kept secure.
    – Mark Amery
    6 hours ago








  • 1




    Possible duplicate of In a job interview, how do I explain why I was fired?
    – Dukeling
    5 hours ago














  • 3




    No legal ramifications or civil lawsuits at this stage as it wasn't trade secrets or secret IP. The information was work i was working on at the moment and I emailed it as I needed to do work on my personal laptop ; I couldn't take my work station away whilst on extended leave overseas.
    – user10433947
    12 hours ago






  • 29




    Ok, so a dumb mistake instead of actual malicious action.
    – Borgh
    12 hours ago






  • 8




    Thanks @gnat. The link you sent is asking if it is possible to be rehired into the same employer. I am asking more generally with regards to other employers. I highly doubt my ex employer would rehire me
    – user10433947
    12 hours ago






  • 1




    I feel that the question remains unclear about precisely what aspect of your conduct got you fired, and why. "Confidential information" could be anything from a million patients' health records to a couple of hundred lines of banal business application source code you'd written for a client of no real sensitivity or conceivable value to any attacker. You don't explain whether you were fired for putting that data on a personal laptop at all or for doing so via personal email. You also don't indicate whether you could reasonably realise that the information needed to be kept secure.
    – Mark Amery
    6 hours ago








  • 1




    Possible duplicate of In a job interview, how do I explain why I was fired?
    – Dukeling
    5 hours ago








3




3




No legal ramifications or civil lawsuits at this stage as it wasn't trade secrets or secret IP. The information was work i was working on at the moment and I emailed it as I needed to do work on my personal laptop ; I couldn't take my work station away whilst on extended leave overseas.
– user10433947
12 hours ago




No legal ramifications or civil lawsuits at this stage as it wasn't trade secrets or secret IP. The information was work i was working on at the moment and I emailed it as I needed to do work on my personal laptop ; I couldn't take my work station away whilst on extended leave overseas.
– user10433947
12 hours ago




29




29




Ok, so a dumb mistake instead of actual malicious action.
– Borgh
12 hours ago




Ok, so a dumb mistake instead of actual malicious action.
– Borgh
12 hours ago




8




8




Thanks @gnat. The link you sent is asking if it is possible to be rehired into the same employer. I am asking more generally with regards to other employers. I highly doubt my ex employer would rehire me
– user10433947
12 hours ago




Thanks @gnat. The link you sent is asking if it is possible to be rehired into the same employer. I am asking more generally with regards to other employers. I highly doubt my ex employer would rehire me
– user10433947
12 hours ago




1




1




I feel that the question remains unclear about precisely what aspect of your conduct got you fired, and why. "Confidential information" could be anything from a million patients' health records to a couple of hundred lines of banal business application source code you'd written for a client of no real sensitivity or conceivable value to any attacker. You don't explain whether you were fired for putting that data on a personal laptop at all or for doing so via personal email. You also don't indicate whether you could reasonably realise that the information needed to be kept secure.
– Mark Amery
6 hours ago






I feel that the question remains unclear about precisely what aspect of your conduct got you fired, and why. "Confidential information" could be anything from a million patients' health records to a couple of hundred lines of banal business application source code you'd written for a client of no real sensitivity or conceivable value to any attacker. You don't explain whether you were fired for putting that data on a personal laptop at all or for doing so via personal email. You also don't indicate whether you could reasonably realise that the information needed to be kept secure.
– Mark Amery
6 hours ago






1




1




Possible duplicate of In a job interview, how do I explain why I was fired?
– Dukeling
5 hours ago




Possible duplicate of In a job interview, how do I explain why I was fired?
– Dukeling
5 hours ago










6 Answers
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up vote
64
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It's all about wording



I think your comment:




The information was work i was working on at the moment and I emailed it as I needed to do work on my personal laptop ; I couldn't take my work station away whilst on extended leave overseas.




Goes a long way to being the right way to describe this. You were wrapped up in a project and yes you messed up but no you didn't mean to. You've learned from this mistake and had no malicious intent.



You violated your contract so your previous employer had little choice but to let you go - your new employer will understand this but if you show them you've accepted responsibility for it and will make sure never to do that again then I think you've got a good chance of getting another position.






share|improve this answer























  • "You violated your contract" - wait, what? This sentence in your answer is literally the only mention of a contract anywhere on the page. What basis do you have to claim that the OP violated any contract, or indeed had any reason prior to getting fired to think that his employer cared what medium he used to transfer his work to his personal laptop?
    – Mark Amery
    6 hours ago






  • 4




    He's right actually. I violated a clause in my contract regarding 'Confidentiality' . Different industries have different terms with regards to Condidentiality, expressed or implied.
    – user10433947
    6 hours ago










  • @MarkAmery You're right in that its an assumption but given my experience with similar roles the correct handling of confidential information it is almost always written into the employee's contract that they'll not do certain things with the data (like put it on their personal devices). The OP does say, in the comments, Yes... you can call it a brain fart or something similar . I mean I should have known as I have signed confidential agreements but I was too caught up with the work and didn't think
    – Lio Elbammalf
    4 hours ago






  • 1




    While I agree that this needs to be explained in the right way. The main problem is that 'copying data in a very insecure way to be able to bring those data overseas', as I see it, most likely cannot be explained in the right way.
    – Bent
    3 hours ago








  • 1




    @bent in my experience most companies view the data leaving their possession as the real concern, anything else is secondary. They must always assume the worst case anyway.
    – Lio Elbammalf
    2 hours ago


















up vote
41
down vote













There are many ways to say thing like this without lying.
never actually say the words Gross Misconduct. They sound far more serious than what happened.
"I made a dumb mistake and misjudged the sensitivity of some data" is both more accurate and less severe.



Don't say "I was escorted out by armed guards" where you can say "My manager was disappointed enough to let me go"



People have gotten jobs in their field after vastly more serious forkups, don't despair.



If asked specifially try to describe in detail what happened and what you learned from it, for example: ask if the new employer has clear guidelines on data handling.



Yes, some employer will bin you, others might give you a second chance.
You might not immediately get the same job you had before and might have to accept something more junior but be clear in your communications and you'll get there.



Good luck!






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    up vote
    5
    down vote














    Wouldn't employers just throw my application to the bin once I declare I have been dismissed for gross misconduct?




    Yes they would, so don't tell them that.






    share|improve this answer




























      up vote
      4
      down vote













      It's hard to answer this question without specifics, but it strikes me as very important to differentiate between an accident or mistake in the sense of "oops, I did that by unintentionally" versus misconduct, as in "this was against policy and I deliberately did it anyways" regardless of whether you knew about the policy or had a good reason to do it or not. What you did was misconduct. You didn't accidentally email the material to yourself, you did it on purpose. Regardless of what word you use when you disclose what happened, understanding that difference, owning up to it, and showing how you've changed as a result is your best hope of gaining future employment.



      Passing it off as a mistake, or trying to portray ignorance (in the sense of saying "oh, I didn't realize it was wrong when I did it") is just going to make it sound like you don't bother understanding or following policies. An employee who doesn't know about a policy important enough to fire someone over is just a ticking time bomb to an employer. That's why employers ask employees to sign technology use policies, as it appears yours has - to ensure the employee is aware of policy.



      Whether or not you knew about the policy upfront, you need to be ready to discuss steps you take to stay informed about policies and ensure you're following them. You need to be ready to show that you understand that you have responsibility to understand and comply with policy, and that you're willing to do that. That brings us to your questions,




      But how do I explain this to show I learnt from my mistake and get a new job ?




      First, you need to be able to frame what you did for yourself. Can you explain to us what you learned? How do you approach company policy in general? How to you ensure you're aware of it, and following it?



      You certainly don't need to blurt out a 5 minute monologue unprompted, but you do want to be ready to answer these questions because they will come up if you disclose what happened as you intend to. We can't tell you the best way to answer, since the best way to answer is honestly and you're the only one who can give your honest answer.




      Wouldn't employers just throw my application to the bin once I declare I have been dismissed for gross misconduct?




      Some certainly will, especially those who are more security-conscious. You may want to target less security-sensitive industries or environments until you've worked up enough of a resume after this event to show that you're reliable.






      share|improve this answer























      • +20 if I could.
        – bob
        5 hours ago


















      up vote
      3
      down vote













      This is mostly a matter of describing your motivation appropriately, and in this respect "At that time, I did not realize" does a better job of conveying that your basis of judgment has changed in the course of that experience than a mere "I did not realize" would. The latter looks more like something that could repeat under similar circumstances.






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        up vote
        1
        down vote













        What you did was a breach of data protection laws in most jurisdictions. Understand this, and approach the question from that angle.



        You said it yourself that you were working on client confidential information, and sent it to your personal mailbox.



        Businesses have a term for that kind of behaviour, and that is 'data leakage'. In sending that information to your own mailbox, you transmitted the data to a number of machines, any number of which could be intercepting the data for reading, and many do albeit for legit purposes of scanning for advertising relevant stuff or scanning viruses. If any of those connections were being intercepted by an unknown third party, however, you've just put your customer's data into their hands.



        Acknowledge that your data security awareness was sorely lacking and that you have worked to fix this in your wording to your prospective employer



        This includes understanding what you did wrong and explaining how you might have approached this in future (hint: ask boss, transfer via encrypted USB if necessary and allowed. NEVER by email unless explicitly given the go-ahead). Phrase it as a serious learning point, because you sure as hell aren't going to do it again after getting fired.






        share|improve this answer





















        • The US is a large jurisdiction, and generally have what I consider very little protection for private data. For most cases in the US, I'd expect it to be legal.
          – David Thornley
          4 hours ago










        • Data protection laws generally protect personal data. There's no indication that the data that the OP here emailed to themselves was personal data. Even if it were, transmitting some personal data by email does not of itself breach data protection laws in any jurisdiction; if it did, almost all email use would be illegal in those jurisdictions, since sending an email to any person's email address inherently transmits personal data (namely, the address itself!). As such, your first sentence is nonsense.
          – Mark Amery
          3 hours ago













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        6 Answers
        6






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        oldest

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        6 Answers
        6






        active

        oldest

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        active

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        active

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        up vote
        64
        down vote













        It's all about wording



        I think your comment:




        The information was work i was working on at the moment and I emailed it as I needed to do work on my personal laptop ; I couldn't take my work station away whilst on extended leave overseas.




        Goes a long way to being the right way to describe this. You were wrapped up in a project and yes you messed up but no you didn't mean to. You've learned from this mistake and had no malicious intent.



        You violated your contract so your previous employer had little choice but to let you go - your new employer will understand this but if you show them you've accepted responsibility for it and will make sure never to do that again then I think you've got a good chance of getting another position.






        share|improve this answer























        • "You violated your contract" - wait, what? This sentence in your answer is literally the only mention of a contract anywhere on the page. What basis do you have to claim that the OP violated any contract, or indeed had any reason prior to getting fired to think that his employer cared what medium he used to transfer his work to his personal laptop?
          – Mark Amery
          6 hours ago






        • 4




          He's right actually. I violated a clause in my contract regarding 'Confidentiality' . Different industries have different terms with regards to Condidentiality, expressed or implied.
          – user10433947
          6 hours ago










        • @MarkAmery You're right in that its an assumption but given my experience with similar roles the correct handling of confidential information it is almost always written into the employee's contract that they'll not do certain things with the data (like put it on their personal devices). The OP does say, in the comments, Yes... you can call it a brain fart or something similar . I mean I should have known as I have signed confidential agreements but I was too caught up with the work and didn't think
          – Lio Elbammalf
          4 hours ago






        • 1




          While I agree that this needs to be explained in the right way. The main problem is that 'copying data in a very insecure way to be able to bring those data overseas', as I see it, most likely cannot be explained in the right way.
          – Bent
          3 hours ago








        • 1




          @bent in my experience most companies view the data leaving their possession as the real concern, anything else is secondary. They must always assume the worst case anyway.
          – Lio Elbammalf
          2 hours ago















        up vote
        64
        down vote













        It's all about wording



        I think your comment:




        The information was work i was working on at the moment and I emailed it as I needed to do work on my personal laptop ; I couldn't take my work station away whilst on extended leave overseas.




        Goes a long way to being the right way to describe this. You were wrapped up in a project and yes you messed up but no you didn't mean to. You've learned from this mistake and had no malicious intent.



        You violated your contract so your previous employer had little choice but to let you go - your new employer will understand this but if you show them you've accepted responsibility for it and will make sure never to do that again then I think you've got a good chance of getting another position.






        share|improve this answer























        • "You violated your contract" - wait, what? This sentence in your answer is literally the only mention of a contract anywhere on the page. What basis do you have to claim that the OP violated any contract, or indeed had any reason prior to getting fired to think that his employer cared what medium he used to transfer his work to his personal laptop?
          – Mark Amery
          6 hours ago






        • 4




          He's right actually. I violated a clause in my contract regarding 'Confidentiality' . Different industries have different terms with regards to Condidentiality, expressed or implied.
          – user10433947
          6 hours ago










        • @MarkAmery You're right in that its an assumption but given my experience with similar roles the correct handling of confidential information it is almost always written into the employee's contract that they'll not do certain things with the data (like put it on their personal devices). The OP does say, in the comments, Yes... you can call it a brain fart or something similar . I mean I should have known as I have signed confidential agreements but I was too caught up with the work and didn't think
          – Lio Elbammalf
          4 hours ago






        • 1




          While I agree that this needs to be explained in the right way. The main problem is that 'copying data in a very insecure way to be able to bring those data overseas', as I see it, most likely cannot be explained in the right way.
          – Bent
          3 hours ago








        • 1




          @bent in my experience most companies view the data leaving their possession as the real concern, anything else is secondary. They must always assume the worst case anyway.
          – Lio Elbammalf
          2 hours ago













        up vote
        64
        down vote










        up vote
        64
        down vote









        It's all about wording



        I think your comment:




        The information was work i was working on at the moment and I emailed it as I needed to do work on my personal laptop ; I couldn't take my work station away whilst on extended leave overseas.




        Goes a long way to being the right way to describe this. You were wrapped up in a project and yes you messed up but no you didn't mean to. You've learned from this mistake and had no malicious intent.



        You violated your contract so your previous employer had little choice but to let you go - your new employer will understand this but if you show them you've accepted responsibility for it and will make sure never to do that again then I think you've got a good chance of getting another position.






        share|improve this answer














        It's all about wording



        I think your comment:




        The information was work i was working on at the moment and I emailed it as I needed to do work on my personal laptop ; I couldn't take my work station away whilst on extended leave overseas.




        Goes a long way to being the right way to describe this. You were wrapped up in a project and yes you messed up but no you didn't mean to. You've learned from this mistake and had no malicious intent.



        You violated your contract so your previous employer had little choice but to let you go - your new employer will understand this but if you show them you've accepted responsibility for it and will make sure never to do that again then I think you've got a good chance of getting another position.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited 11 hours ago









        RJFalconer

        2,2292712




        2,2292712










        answered 11 hours ago









        Lio Elbammalf

        48915




        48915












        • "You violated your contract" - wait, what? This sentence in your answer is literally the only mention of a contract anywhere on the page. What basis do you have to claim that the OP violated any contract, or indeed had any reason prior to getting fired to think that his employer cared what medium he used to transfer his work to his personal laptop?
          – Mark Amery
          6 hours ago






        • 4




          He's right actually. I violated a clause in my contract regarding 'Confidentiality' . Different industries have different terms with regards to Condidentiality, expressed or implied.
          – user10433947
          6 hours ago










        • @MarkAmery You're right in that its an assumption but given my experience with similar roles the correct handling of confidential information it is almost always written into the employee's contract that they'll not do certain things with the data (like put it on their personal devices). The OP does say, in the comments, Yes... you can call it a brain fart or something similar . I mean I should have known as I have signed confidential agreements but I was too caught up with the work and didn't think
          – Lio Elbammalf
          4 hours ago






        • 1




          While I agree that this needs to be explained in the right way. The main problem is that 'copying data in a very insecure way to be able to bring those data overseas', as I see it, most likely cannot be explained in the right way.
          – Bent
          3 hours ago








        • 1




          @bent in my experience most companies view the data leaving their possession as the real concern, anything else is secondary. They must always assume the worst case anyway.
          – Lio Elbammalf
          2 hours ago


















        • "You violated your contract" - wait, what? This sentence in your answer is literally the only mention of a contract anywhere on the page. What basis do you have to claim that the OP violated any contract, or indeed had any reason prior to getting fired to think that his employer cared what medium he used to transfer his work to his personal laptop?
          – Mark Amery
          6 hours ago






        • 4




          He's right actually. I violated a clause in my contract regarding 'Confidentiality' . Different industries have different terms with regards to Condidentiality, expressed or implied.
          – user10433947
          6 hours ago










        • @MarkAmery You're right in that its an assumption but given my experience with similar roles the correct handling of confidential information it is almost always written into the employee's contract that they'll not do certain things with the data (like put it on their personal devices). The OP does say, in the comments, Yes... you can call it a brain fart or something similar . I mean I should have known as I have signed confidential agreements but I was too caught up with the work and didn't think
          – Lio Elbammalf
          4 hours ago






        • 1




          While I agree that this needs to be explained in the right way. The main problem is that 'copying data in a very insecure way to be able to bring those data overseas', as I see it, most likely cannot be explained in the right way.
          – Bent
          3 hours ago








        • 1




          @bent in my experience most companies view the data leaving their possession as the real concern, anything else is secondary. They must always assume the worst case anyway.
          – Lio Elbammalf
          2 hours ago
















        "You violated your contract" - wait, what? This sentence in your answer is literally the only mention of a contract anywhere on the page. What basis do you have to claim that the OP violated any contract, or indeed had any reason prior to getting fired to think that his employer cared what medium he used to transfer his work to his personal laptop?
        – Mark Amery
        6 hours ago




        "You violated your contract" - wait, what? This sentence in your answer is literally the only mention of a contract anywhere on the page. What basis do you have to claim that the OP violated any contract, or indeed had any reason prior to getting fired to think that his employer cared what medium he used to transfer his work to his personal laptop?
        – Mark Amery
        6 hours ago




        4




        4




        He's right actually. I violated a clause in my contract regarding 'Confidentiality' . Different industries have different terms with regards to Condidentiality, expressed or implied.
        – user10433947
        6 hours ago




        He's right actually. I violated a clause in my contract regarding 'Confidentiality' . Different industries have different terms with regards to Condidentiality, expressed or implied.
        – user10433947
        6 hours ago












        @MarkAmery You're right in that its an assumption but given my experience with similar roles the correct handling of confidential information it is almost always written into the employee's contract that they'll not do certain things with the data (like put it on their personal devices). The OP does say, in the comments, Yes... you can call it a brain fart or something similar . I mean I should have known as I have signed confidential agreements but I was too caught up with the work and didn't think
        – Lio Elbammalf
        4 hours ago




        @MarkAmery You're right in that its an assumption but given my experience with similar roles the correct handling of confidential information it is almost always written into the employee's contract that they'll not do certain things with the data (like put it on their personal devices). The OP does say, in the comments, Yes... you can call it a brain fart or something similar . I mean I should have known as I have signed confidential agreements but I was too caught up with the work and didn't think
        – Lio Elbammalf
        4 hours ago




        1




        1




        While I agree that this needs to be explained in the right way. The main problem is that 'copying data in a very insecure way to be able to bring those data overseas', as I see it, most likely cannot be explained in the right way.
        – Bent
        3 hours ago






        While I agree that this needs to be explained in the right way. The main problem is that 'copying data in a very insecure way to be able to bring those data overseas', as I see it, most likely cannot be explained in the right way.
        – Bent
        3 hours ago






        1




        1




        @bent in my experience most companies view the data leaving their possession as the real concern, anything else is secondary. They must always assume the worst case anyway.
        – Lio Elbammalf
        2 hours ago




        @bent in my experience most companies view the data leaving their possession as the real concern, anything else is secondary. They must always assume the worst case anyway.
        – Lio Elbammalf
        2 hours ago












        up vote
        41
        down vote













        There are many ways to say thing like this without lying.
        never actually say the words Gross Misconduct. They sound far more serious than what happened.
        "I made a dumb mistake and misjudged the sensitivity of some data" is both more accurate and less severe.



        Don't say "I was escorted out by armed guards" where you can say "My manager was disappointed enough to let me go"



        People have gotten jobs in their field after vastly more serious forkups, don't despair.



        If asked specifially try to describe in detail what happened and what you learned from it, for example: ask if the new employer has clear guidelines on data handling.



        Yes, some employer will bin you, others might give you a second chance.
        You might not immediately get the same job you had before and might have to accept something more junior but be clear in your communications and you'll get there.



        Good luck!






        share|improve this answer

























          up vote
          41
          down vote













          There are many ways to say thing like this without lying.
          never actually say the words Gross Misconduct. They sound far more serious than what happened.
          "I made a dumb mistake and misjudged the sensitivity of some data" is both more accurate and less severe.



          Don't say "I was escorted out by armed guards" where you can say "My manager was disappointed enough to let me go"



          People have gotten jobs in their field after vastly more serious forkups, don't despair.



          If asked specifially try to describe in detail what happened and what you learned from it, for example: ask if the new employer has clear guidelines on data handling.



          Yes, some employer will bin you, others might give you a second chance.
          You might not immediately get the same job you had before and might have to accept something more junior but be clear in your communications and you'll get there.



          Good luck!






          share|improve this answer























            up vote
            41
            down vote










            up vote
            41
            down vote









            There are many ways to say thing like this without lying.
            never actually say the words Gross Misconduct. They sound far more serious than what happened.
            "I made a dumb mistake and misjudged the sensitivity of some data" is both more accurate and less severe.



            Don't say "I was escorted out by armed guards" where you can say "My manager was disappointed enough to let me go"



            People have gotten jobs in their field after vastly more serious forkups, don't despair.



            If asked specifially try to describe in detail what happened and what you learned from it, for example: ask if the new employer has clear guidelines on data handling.



            Yes, some employer will bin you, others might give you a second chance.
            You might not immediately get the same job you had before and might have to accept something more junior but be clear in your communications and you'll get there.



            Good luck!






            share|improve this answer












            There are many ways to say thing like this without lying.
            never actually say the words Gross Misconduct. They sound far more serious than what happened.
            "I made a dumb mistake and misjudged the sensitivity of some data" is both more accurate and less severe.



            Don't say "I was escorted out by armed guards" where you can say "My manager was disappointed enough to let me go"



            People have gotten jobs in their field after vastly more serious forkups, don't despair.



            If asked specifially try to describe in detail what happened and what you learned from it, for example: ask if the new employer has clear guidelines on data handling.



            Yes, some employer will bin you, others might give you a second chance.
            You might not immediately get the same job you had before and might have to accept something more junior but be clear in your communications and you'll get there.



            Good luck!







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 12 hours ago









            Borgh

            2,2041614




            2,2041614






















                up vote
                5
                down vote














                Wouldn't employers just throw my application to the bin once I declare I have been dismissed for gross misconduct?




                Yes they would, so don't tell them that.






                share|improve this answer

























                  up vote
                  5
                  down vote














                  Wouldn't employers just throw my application to the bin once I declare I have been dismissed for gross misconduct?




                  Yes they would, so don't tell them that.






                  share|improve this answer























                    up vote
                    5
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    5
                    down vote










                    Wouldn't employers just throw my application to the bin once I declare I have been dismissed for gross misconduct?




                    Yes they would, so don't tell them that.






                    share|improve this answer













                    Wouldn't employers just throw my application to the bin once I declare I have been dismissed for gross misconduct?




                    Yes they would, so don't tell them that.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered 6 hours ago









                    Kilisi

                    111k61247429




                    111k61247429






















                        up vote
                        4
                        down vote













                        It's hard to answer this question without specifics, but it strikes me as very important to differentiate between an accident or mistake in the sense of "oops, I did that by unintentionally" versus misconduct, as in "this was against policy and I deliberately did it anyways" regardless of whether you knew about the policy or had a good reason to do it or not. What you did was misconduct. You didn't accidentally email the material to yourself, you did it on purpose. Regardless of what word you use when you disclose what happened, understanding that difference, owning up to it, and showing how you've changed as a result is your best hope of gaining future employment.



                        Passing it off as a mistake, or trying to portray ignorance (in the sense of saying "oh, I didn't realize it was wrong when I did it") is just going to make it sound like you don't bother understanding or following policies. An employee who doesn't know about a policy important enough to fire someone over is just a ticking time bomb to an employer. That's why employers ask employees to sign technology use policies, as it appears yours has - to ensure the employee is aware of policy.



                        Whether or not you knew about the policy upfront, you need to be ready to discuss steps you take to stay informed about policies and ensure you're following them. You need to be ready to show that you understand that you have responsibility to understand and comply with policy, and that you're willing to do that. That brings us to your questions,




                        But how do I explain this to show I learnt from my mistake and get a new job ?




                        First, you need to be able to frame what you did for yourself. Can you explain to us what you learned? How do you approach company policy in general? How to you ensure you're aware of it, and following it?



                        You certainly don't need to blurt out a 5 minute monologue unprompted, but you do want to be ready to answer these questions because they will come up if you disclose what happened as you intend to. We can't tell you the best way to answer, since the best way to answer is honestly and you're the only one who can give your honest answer.




                        Wouldn't employers just throw my application to the bin once I declare I have been dismissed for gross misconduct?




                        Some certainly will, especially those who are more security-conscious. You may want to target less security-sensitive industries or environments until you've worked up enough of a resume after this event to show that you're reliable.






                        share|improve this answer























                        • +20 if I could.
                          – bob
                          5 hours ago















                        up vote
                        4
                        down vote













                        It's hard to answer this question without specifics, but it strikes me as very important to differentiate between an accident or mistake in the sense of "oops, I did that by unintentionally" versus misconduct, as in "this was against policy and I deliberately did it anyways" regardless of whether you knew about the policy or had a good reason to do it or not. What you did was misconduct. You didn't accidentally email the material to yourself, you did it on purpose. Regardless of what word you use when you disclose what happened, understanding that difference, owning up to it, and showing how you've changed as a result is your best hope of gaining future employment.



                        Passing it off as a mistake, or trying to portray ignorance (in the sense of saying "oh, I didn't realize it was wrong when I did it") is just going to make it sound like you don't bother understanding or following policies. An employee who doesn't know about a policy important enough to fire someone over is just a ticking time bomb to an employer. That's why employers ask employees to sign technology use policies, as it appears yours has - to ensure the employee is aware of policy.



                        Whether or not you knew about the policy upfront, you need to be ready to discuss steps you take to stay informed about policies and ensure you're following them. You need to be ready to show that you understand that you have responsibility to understand and comply with policy, and that you're willing to do that. That brings us to your questions,




                        But how do I explain this to show I learnt from my mistake and get a new job ?




                        First, you need to be able to frame what you did for yourself. Can you explain to us what you learned? How do you approach company policy in general? How to you ensure you're aware of it, and following it?



                        You certainly don't need to blurt out a 5 minute monologue unprompted, but you do want to be ready to answer these questions because they will come up if you disclose what happened as you intend to. We can't tell you the best way to answer, since the best way to answer is honestly and you're the only one who can give your honest answer.




                        Wouldn't employers just throw my application to the bin once I declare I have been dismissed for gross misconduct?




                        Some certainly will, especially those who are more security-conscious. You may want to target less security-sensitive industries or environments until you've worked up enough of a resume after this event to show that you're reliable.






                        share|improve this answer























                        • +20 if I could.
                          – bob
                          5 hours ago













                        up vote
                        4
                        down vote










                        up vote
                        4
                        down vote









                        It's hard to answer this question without specifics, but it strikes me as very important to differentiate between an accident or mistake in the sense of "oops, I did that by unintentionally" versus misconduct, as in "this was against policy and I deliberately did it anyways" regardless of whether you knew about the policy or had a good reason to do it or not. What you did was misconduct. You didn't accidentally email the material to yourself, you did it on purpose. Regardless of what word you use when you disclose what happened, understanding that difference, owning up to it, and showing how you've changed as a result is your best hope of gaining future employment.



                        Passing it off as a mistake, or trying to portray ignorance (in the sense of saying "oh, I didn't realize it was wrong when I did it") is just going to make it sound like you don't bother understanding or following policies. An employee who doesn't know about a policy important enough to fire someone over is just a ticking time bomb to an employer. That's why employers ask employees to sign technology use policies, as it appears yours has - to ensure the employee is aware of policy.



                        Whether or not you knew about the policy upfront, you need to be ready to discuss steps you take to stay informed about policies and ensure you're following them. You need to be ready to show that you understand that you have responsibility to understand and comply with policy, and that you're willing to do that. That brings us to your questions,




                        But how do I explain this to show I learnt from my mistake and get a new job ?




                        First, you need to be able to frame what you did for yourself. Can you explain to us what you learned? How do you approach company policy in general? How to you ensure you're aware of it, and following it?



                        You certainly don't need to blurt out a 5 minute monologue unprompted, but you do want to be ready to answer these questions because they will come up if you disclose what happened as you intend to. We can't tell you the best way to answer, since the best way to answer is honestly and you're the only one who can give your honest answer.




                        Wouldn't employers just throw my application to the bin once I declare I have been dismissed for gross misconduct?




                        Some certainly will, especially those who are more security-conscious. You may want to target less security-sensitive industries or environments until you've worked up enough of a resume after this event to show that you're reliable.






                        share|improve this answer














                        It's hard to answer this question without specifics, but it strikes me as very important to differentiate between an accident or mistake in the sense of "oops, I did that by unintentionally" versus misconduct, as in "this was against policy and I deliberately did it anyways" regardless of whether you knew about the policy or had a good reason to do it or not. What you did was misconduct. You didn't accidentally email the material to yourself, you did it on purpose. Regardless of what word you use when you disclose what happened, understanding that difference, owning up to it, and showing how you've changed as a result is your best hope of gaining future employment.



                        Passing it off as a mistake, or trying to portray ignorance (in the sense of saying "oh, I didn't realize it was wrong when I did it") is just going to make it sound like you don't bother understanding or following policies. An employee who doesn't know about a policy important enough to fire someone over is just a ticking time bomb to an employer. That's why employers ask employees to sign technology use policies, as it appears yours has - to ensure the employee is aware of policy.



                        Whether or not you knew about the policy upfront, you need to be ready to discuss steps you take to stay informed about policies and ensure you're following them. You need to be ready to show that you understand that you have responsibility to understand and comply with policy, and that you're willing to do that. That brings us to your questions,




                        But how do I explain this to show I learnt from my mistake and get a new job ?




                        First, you need to be able to frame what you did for yourself. Can you explain to us what you learned? How do you approach company policy in general? How to you ensure you're aware of it, and following it?



                        You certainly don't need to blurt out a 5 minute monologue unprompted, but you do want to be ready to answer these questions because they will come up if you disclose what happened as you intend to. We can't tell you the best way to answer, since the best way to answer is honestly and you're the only one who can give your honest answer.




                        Wouldn't employers just throw my application to the bin once I declare I have been dismissed for gross misconduct?




                        Some certainly will, especially those who are more security-conscious. You may want to target less security-sensitive industries or environments until you've worked up enough of a resume after this event to show that you're reliable.







                        share|improve this answer














                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer








                        edited 5 hours ago

























                        answered 5 hours ago









                        dwizum

                        9,88932241




                        9,88932241












                        • +20 if I could.
                          – bob
                          5 hours ago


















                        • +20 if I could.
                          – bob
                          5 hours ago
















                        +20 if I could.
                        – bob
                        5 hours ago




                        +20 if I could.
                        – bob
                        5 hours ago










                        up vote
                        3
                        down vote













                        This is mostly a matter of describing your motivation appropriately, and in this respect "At that time, I did not realize" does a better job of conveying that your basis of judgment has changed in the course of that experience than a mere "I did not realize" would. The latter looks more like something that could repeat under similar circumstances.






                        share|improve this answer










                        New contributor




                        user95708 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                        Check out our Code of Conduct.






















                          up vote
                          3
                          down vote













                          This is mostly a matter of describing your motivation appropriately, and in this respect "At that time, I did not realize" does a better job of conveying that your basis of judgment has changed in the course of that experience than a mere "I did not realize" would. The latter looks more like something that could repeat under similar circumstances.






                          share|improve this answer










                          New contributor




                          user95708 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                          Check out our Code of Conduct.




















                            up vote
                            3
                            down vote










                            up vote
                            3
                            down vote









                            This is mostly a matter of describing your motivation appropriately, and in this respect "At that time, I did not realize" does a better job of conveying that your basis of judgment has changed in the course of that experience than a mere "I did not realize" would. The latter looks more like something that could repeat under similar circumstances.






                            share|improve this answer










                            New contributor




                            user95708 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                            Check out our Code of Conduct.









                            This is mostly a matter of describing your motivation appropriately, and in this respect "At that time, I did not realize" does a better job of conveying that your basis of judgment has changed in the course of that experience than a mere "I did not realize" would. The latter looks more like something that could repeat under similar circumstances.







                            share|improve this answer










                            New contributor




                            user95708 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                            Check out our Code of Conduct.









                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer








                            edited 4 hours ago









                            GreySage

                            1054




                            1054






                            New contributor




                            user95708 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                            Check out our Code of Conduct.









                            answered 7 hours ago









                            user95708

                            571




                            571




                            New contributor




                            user95708 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                            Check out our Code of Conduct.





                            New contributor





                            user95708 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                            Check out our Code of Conduct.






                            user95708 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                            Check out our Code of Conduct.






















                                up vote
                                1
                                down vote













                                What you did was a breach of data protection laws in most jurisdictions. Understand this, and approach the question from that angle.



                                You said it yourself that you were working on client confidential information, and sent it to your personal mailbox.



                                Businesses have a term for that kind of behaviour, and that is 'data leakage'. In sending that information to your own mailbox, you transmitted the data to a number of machines, any number of which could be intercepting the data for reading, and many do albeit for legit purposes of scanning for advertising relevant stuff or scanning viruses. If any of those connections were being intercepted by an unknown third party, however, you've just put your customer's data into their hands.



                                Acknowledge that your data security awareness was sorely lacking and that you have worked to fix this in your wording to your prospective employer



                                This includes understanding what you did wrong and explaining how you might have approached this in future (hint: ask boss, transfer via encrypted USB if necessary and allowed. NEVER by email unless explicitly given the go-ahead). Phrase it as a serious learning point, because you sure as hell aren't going to do it again after getting fired.






                                share|improve this answer





















                                • The US is a large jurisdiction, and generally have what I consider very little protection for private data. For most cases in the US, I'd expect it to be legal.
                                  – David Thornley
                                  4 hours ago










                                • Data protection laws generally protect personal data. There's no indication that the data that the OP here emailed to themselves was personal data. Even if it were, transmitting some personal data by email does not of itself breach data protection laws in any jurisdiction; if it did, almost all email use would be illegal in those jurisdictions, since sending an email to any person's email address inherently transmits personal data (namely, the address itself!). As such, your first sentence is nonsense.
                                  – Mark Amery
                                  3 hours ago

















                                up vote
                                1
                                down vote













                                What you did was a breach of data protection laws in most jurisdictions. Understand this, and approach the question from that angle.



                                You said it yourself that you were working on client confidential information, and sent it to your personal mailbox.



                                Businesses have a term for that kind of behaviour, and that is 'data leakage'. In sending that information to your own mailbox, you transmitted the data to a number of machines, any number of which could be intercepting the data for reading, and many do albeit for legit purposes of scanning for advertising relevant stuff or scanning viruses. If any of those connections were being intercepted by an unknown third party, however, you've just put your customer's data into their hands.



                                Acknowledge that your data security awareness was sorely lacking and that you have worked to fix this in your wording to your prospective employer



                                This includes understanding what you did wrong and explaining how you might have approached this in future (hint: ask boss, transfer via encrypted USB if necessary and allowed. NEVER by email unless explicitly given the go-ahead). Phrase it as a serious learning point, because you sure as hell aren't going to do it again after getting fired.






                                share|improve this answer





















                                • The US is a large jurisdiction, and generally have what I consider very little protection for private data. For most cases in the US, I'd expect it to be legal.
                                  – David Thornley
                                  4 hours ago










                                • Data protection laws generally protect personal data. There's no indication that the data that the OP here emailed to themselves was personal data. Even if it were, transmitting some personal data by email does not of itself breach data protection laws in any jurisdiction; if it did, almost all email use would be illegal in those jurisdictions, since sending an email to any person's email address inherently transmits personal data (namely, the address itself!). As such, your first sentence is nonsense.
                                  – Mark Amery
                                  3 hours ago















                                up vote
                                1
                                down vote










                                up vote
                                1
                                down vote









                                What you did was a breach of data protection laws in most jurisdictions. Understand this, and approach the question from that angle.



                                You said it yourself that you were working on client confidential information, and sent it to your personal mailbox.



                                Businesses have a term for that kind of behaviour, and that is 'data leakage'. In sending that information to your own mailbox, you transmitted the data to a number of machines, any number of which could be intercepting the data for reading, and many do albeit for legit purposes of scanning for advertising relevant stuff or scanning viruses. If any of those connections were being intercepted by an unknown third party, however, you've just put your customer's data into their hands.



                                Acknowledge that your data security awareness was sorely lacking and that you have worked to fix this in your wording to your prospective employer



                                This includes understanding what you did wrong and explaining how you might have approached this in future (hint: ask boss, transfer via encrypted USB if necessary and allowed. NEVER by email unless explicitly given the go-ahead). Phrase it as a serious learning point, because you sure as hell aren't going to do it again after getting fired.






                                share|improve this answer












                                What you did was a breach of data protection laws in most jurisdictions. Understand this, and approach the question from that angle.



                                You said it yourself that you were working on client confidential information, and sent it to your personal mailbox.



                                Businesses have a term for that kind of behaviour, and that is 'data leakage'. In sending that information to your own mailbox, you transmitted the data to a number of machines, any number of which could be intercepting the data for reading, and many do albeit for legit purposes of scanning for advertising relevant stuff or scanning viruses. If any of those connections were being intercepted by an unknown third party, however, you've just put your customer's data into their hands.



                                Acknowledge that your data security awareness was sorely lacking and that you have worked to fix this in your wording to your prospective employer



                                This includes understanding what you did wrong and explaining how you might have approached this in future (hint: ask boss, transfer via encrypted USB if necessary and allowed. NEVER by email unless explicitly given the go-ahead). Phrase it as a serious learning point, because you sure as hell aren't going to do it again after getting fired.







                                share|improve this answer












                                share|improve this answer



                                share|improve this answer










                                answered 5 hours ago









                                520

                                1,148212




                                1,148212












                                • The US is a large jurisdiction, and generally have what I consider very little protection for private data. For most cases in the US, I'd expect it to be legal.
                                  – David Thornley
                                  4 hours ago










                                • Data protection laws generally protect personal data. There's no indication that the data that the OP here emailed to themselves was personal data. Even if it were, transmitting some personal data by email does not of itself breach data protection laws in any jurisdiction; if it did, almost all email use would be illegal in those jurisdictions, since sending an email to any person's email address inherently transmits personal data (namely, the address itself!). As such, your first sentence is nonsense.
                                  – Mark Amery
                                  3 hours ago




















                                • The US is a large jurisdiction, and generally have what I consider very little protection for private data. For most cases in the US, I'd expect it to be legal.
                                  – David Thornley
                                  4 hours ago










                                • Data protection laws generally protect personal data. There's no indication that the data that the OP here emailed to themselves was personal data. Even if it were, transmitting some personal data by email does not of itself breach data protection laws in any jurisdiction; if it did, almost all email use would be illegal in those jurisdictions, since sending an email to any person's email address inherently transmits personal data (namely, the address itself!). As such, your first sentence is nonsense.
                                  – Mark Amery
                                  3 hours ago


















                                The US is a large jurisdiction, and generally have what I consider very little protection for private data. For most cases in the US, I'd expect it to be legal.
                                – David Thornley
                                4 hours ago




                                The US is a large jurisdiction, and generally have what I consider very little protection for private data. For most cases in the US, I'd expect it to be legal.
                                – David Thornley
                                4 hours ago












                                Data protection laws generally protect personal data. There's no indication that the data that the OP here emailed to themselves was personal data. Even if it were, transmitting some personal data by email does not of itself breach data protection laws in any jurisdiction; if it did, almost all email use would be illegal in those jurisdictions, since sending an email to any person's email address inherently transmits personal data (namely, the address itself!). As such, your first sentence is nonsense.
                                – Mark Amery
                                3 hours ago






                                Data protection laws generally protect personal data. There's no indication that the data that the OP here emailed to themselves was personal data. Even if it were, transmitting some personal data by email does not of itself breach data protection laws in any jurisdiction; if it did, almost all email use would be illegal in those jurisdictions, since sending an email to any person's email address inherently transmits personal data (namely, the address itself!). As such, your first sentence is nonsense.
                                – Mark Amery
                                3 hours ago












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