● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportHigh impact
Finland issues wanted notice for hacker behind Vastaamo psychotherapy data breach
Key points
- Kivimäki sentenced to nearly seven years for hacking Vastaamo.
- Wanted notice issued after Supreme Court declined to hear appeal.
- Vastaamo breach affected vulnerable patients and involved extortion.
Details of the Case
Aleksanteri Kivimäki was convicted of aggravated data breach and attempted extortion linked to the 2018 Vastaamo cyberattack. The breach compromised the private information of thousands of patients, and Kivimäki was found to have extorted both the company and its users.
Legal Proceedings
The Supreme Court's refusal to hear Kivimäki's appeal cements his nearly seven-year prison sentence, following a February ruling by the Court of Appeal. While the judges acknowledged the severity of the crimes, they reduced the sentence by one month due to compensation agreements Kivimäki made with some victims.
Current Status
Following the Supreme Court's decision, Finnish authorities are actively searching for Kivimäki to ensure he serves the remainder of his sentence in Vantaa Prison. His lawyer has stated he believes Kivimäki is currently outside Finland.
Background of the Vastaamo Breach
The Vastaamo breach became public in 2020, two years after the actual data theft. The hacker's extortion demands targeted both the company and its patients, highlighting vulnerabilities in the healthcare sector regarding data protection and cybercrime.
Impact on Cybersecurity
This case raises significant concerns about the implications of cybercrime in healthcare, as the Vastaamo breach involved sensitive data of vulnerable individuals. The case illustrates the challenges of prosecuting hackers and emphasizes the need for stronger protections against similar attacks in the future.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
Finnish police have issued a wanted notice for Aleksanteri Kivimäki after his appeal was denied. Kivimäki was convicted for hacking psychotherapy provider Vastaamo and extorting patients, with implications for cybercrime accountability.