Customers who visit the website www.glasswasherparts.com are notified of a data breach. The breach happened between February and December 2016 but was found in November. Hackers could obtain their clients’ credit card information by installing malware on the server platform. The data obtained include names, addresses, phone numbers, and credit card information. An economic theory that relates to the notification is the Laissez-faire theory. The company and its platform provider initially handled the breach response internally without immediate federal involvement. Following the Laissez-faire theory allows any help from the government to focus only on the customers’ privacy rights. Another economic theory that relates to the notification is Cost/Benefit analysis. The company likely weighed the costs and benefits of various response strategies, including the timing of the notification, the extent of information provided, and the offer of assistance to affected customers. By delaying the notification until law enforcement investigations progressed and providing recommendations for protective measures, the company may have aimed to minimize immediate costs, such as reputational damage while maximizing benefits, such as customer trust and loyalty. A social theory that relates to the notification is the Psychodynamic theory. Psychodynamic theory might be used to understand the company’s communication strategy and the consumers’ responses to the breach notification letter. The company may have decided to alleviate customers’ fears and keep a favorable image by providing help and maintaining a helpful tone. Another social theory that relates to the notification is the Neutralization theory. In the context of the breach notification letter, the company may employ neutralization techniques to cope with the consequences of the breach. The company might rationalize the delay in notification by highlighting the necessity for extensive investigations and other circumstances outside its control.

SAMPLE DATA BREACH NOTIFICATION: https://dojmt.gov/wp-content/uploads/Glasswasherparts.com_.pdf