How to File a Consumer or Privacy Complaint in Your Country

Navigating the complexities of consumer rights, data protection, and privacy issues is hard, especially when trying to recover control of personal or business-related information online. This guide provides a comprehensive list of resources for filing consumer or privacy complaints in various countries. These entities are instrumental in upholding consumer rights and addressing privacy concerns. And we at Hacked.com know for a fact that these reports work. They will put things in motion.

Country-Specific Resources for Filing an Online Complaint

There are links for specific countries below, however you can often find options by using the correct search terms. Usually, searching with “(country name) consumer complaint” will get you going in the right direction. But here is a list we’ve already compiled:

1. California, USA
   • Link: California Office of the Attorney General
   • Unfortunately, this complaint form seems to have lost its power.
2. United Kingdom
   • Link for Data Protection Complaints: Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
   • Direct Email: icocasework@ico.org.uk
   • Procedure: For accessing a personal account, provide case details and attach proof. The issue must be at least a month old. A response is expected within a few weeks, assigning a case officer with direct links to companies like Meta.
   • Link for Fraud Complaints: Action Fraud
3. Portugal
   • Link: National Data Protection Commission
4. EU Entities
   • Link: List of EU Data Protection Supervisory Authorities (GDPR)
5. Ireland
   • Link: Data Protection Commission
6. Poland
   • Link: Consumer Ombudsman
7. Australia
   • Link: Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC)
   • Special Procedure for Business-Related Social Media Accounts:
     • Visit the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman.
     • Under ‘Disputes & Assistance,’ select ‘Dispute Support.’
     • Choose ‘My Dispute isn’t listed here.’
     • Click ‘Online Form’ to file the complaint.
     • If no updates occur over 1-2 weeks, contact the Ombudsman directly at info@asbfeo.gov.au
8. New Zealand
   • Link: Privacy Complaints – Government of New Zealand
9. Canada
   • Link: Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
10. Germany
    • Link: Universal Arbitration Board
11. Netherlands
    • Link: ACM ConsuWijzer
12. Dubai
    • Link: Dubai Consumer Rights
13. Denmark
    • Link: Indberetning af brud på sikkerhed

Key Insights

• The process and response time for these complaints can vary greatly between countries and organizations.
• To expedite the process, consumers must provide detailed information and proof when lodging a complaint.
• If you have other forms that works or questions related to this list, please email help@hacked.com

Featured image by Midjourney and Jonas Borchgrevink.