Personal Data of 1.5 Million People Leaked in Swedish Cyberattack

A devastating cyberattack has left the personal data of over 1.5 million people exposed online, prompting concerns about the security of sensitive information in Sweden.

Sweden's prosecution authority announced on Tuesday that a massive data breach had occurred at IT systems provider Miljodata, resulting in the theft of millions of individuals' personal details. The attack took place during the weekend of August 23rd-24th and has since been leaked onto the dark web, with hackers claiming responsibility via the name "Datacarry".

According to prosecutor Sandra Helgadottir, the stolen data includes names, addresses, personal numbers, contact details, and other sensitive information belonging to private individuals. The investigation into the breach is ongoing, with a focus on identifying the individual or group responsible for the attack.

Affecting Nearly 15% of Sweden's Population

The scope of the breach is staggering, as nearly 15 percent of Sweden's population of 10.6 million people have been targeted. Municipal councils, regional authorities, and private companies, including major corporations like Volvo, SAS, and GKN Aerospace, have all been affected by the hack.

Employees in Gothenburg, particularly those at public broadcaster SVT, were also among the victims of the attack. The Swedish Authority for Privacy Protection has received over 250 reports from individuals whose data was compromised, with at least 164 municipalities and four regional authorities falling victim to the breach.

The Hackers' Demands

In a brazen move, the hackers demanded 1.5 bitcoin (approximately $170,000 or almost 1.1 million kronor) in exchange for not releasing the stolen data. However, it appears that this ransom was paid, and the data has since been leaked onto the dark web.

A Focus on Domestic Investigations

Prosecutor Helgadottir emphasized that there is currently no evidence to suggest the involvement of a foreign power in the attack. The investigation will focus on identifying the individual or group responsible for the breach, with a view to bringing them to justice.

A Call to Action: Join the Conversation

As this story continues to unfold, we invite you to join our conversation about the implications of this cyberattack and the need for increased security measures in Sweden. Share your thoughts, experiences, and concerns with us, and let's work together to ensure that sensitive information is protected.

Get Involved: Email Us at news@thelocal.se

Please keep our conversation civil, constructive, and on topic. Before engaging, make sure to read our terms of use. And if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists, don't hesitate to email us at news@thelocal.se.