UEA apologises after leaking sensitive student data in mass email

The University of East Anglia has apologised after highly sensitive student data was accidentally leaked to hundreds of other students.

An email was sent to 298 American Studies undergraduates, which disclosed the personal details of 42 students who had their requests for extensions approved, on Friday morning.

In a statement, the UEA vice-chancellor Professor David Richardson said they "apologise "unreservedly", and have contacted any students affected to offer support.

The university has launched an enquiry into the cause of the leak.

The Information Commissioner’s Office has also been notified.