TalkTalk criticised for poor security and handling of hack attack

Security experts say telecom firm let down customers with slow and poor reaction, and failure to encrypt and secure data

TalkTalk has displayed a disregard for the safety of its customers' data, according to security experts who say the telecoms firm has mishandled its response to being hacked.

The attack happened on Wednesday, and TalkTalk informed the police the same day but only alerted the UK's data protection watchdog on Thursday afternoon, leading to criticism from several experts.