(c) no action may be brought under the provisions of this section unless such action is commenced within [two] three years [immediately] after either the date [of the act complained of or the date of discovery of such act] on which the attorney general became aware of the violation, or the date of notice sent pursuant to paragraph (a) of subdivision eight of this section, whichever occurs first. In no event shall an action be brought after six years from the date of discovery of the breach of private information by the company unless the company took steps to hide the breach.