Sun web site users' data is stolen

RUPERT MURDOCH'S remaining UK tabloid the Sun has been dealt another blow after it emerged that thousands of people who entered competitions on its website could have had their personal information stolen.

Apparently the personal details were taken when the web site was hacked on 19 July, the Sun's publisher News International said.

The police and the Information Commissioner have been informed, although this might be small consolation to those whose details, including applications for the Miss Scotland contest, have been posted online.

News International said in a statement, "We take customer data extremely seriously and are working with the relevant authorities to resolve this matter. We are directly contacting any customer affected by this."

The stolen information is believed to include names, addresses, dates of birth, email addresses and phone numbers. No financial or password data was compromised, the company said. µ