Sweden is investigating a large-scale cyberattack that exposed the personal data of 1.5 million citizens, nearly 15 percent of the country’s population. The hacker group Datacarry targeted the IT service provider Miljödata at the end of August, stealing sensitive information later published on the dark web after ransom demands went unmet.
According to Swedish authorities, the breach primarily affected municipalities and private companies. Prosecutor Sandra Helgadottir said the investigation is ongoing, adding that “at present, there are no indications that a foreign power is involved.”
Hackers Demand Ransom, Data Released
Swedish media reported that Datacarry initially demanded 1.5 Bitcoin, equivalent to about €150,000, and threatened to release the stolen data if the payment was not made. With the ransom unpaid, the personal details, including names, addresses, and contact information, were leaked online.
The scale of the breach is significant, affecting 1.5 million individuals in a country with a population of 10.6 million. Security experts warn the compromised information could fuel phishing campaigns and identity fraud, further underscoring the importance of securing accounts with tools such as password managers and two-factor authentication.
Municipalities and Companies Impacted
The Swedish Data Protection Authority confirmed that at least 164 municipalities and four regional authorities were affected. Gothenburg, Sweden’s second-largest city, was among the hardest hit, according to public broadcaster SVT. Private companies were also caught in the breach, including truck manufacturer Volvo and airline SAS.
The exposure of personal data on such a scale has raised concerns across the public and private sectors. Officials continue to assess the damage while reinforcing the need for stronger cybersecurity measures. The case highlights vulnerabilities in outsourced IT services and the growing risks posed by organized hacker groups targeting critical infrastructure and corporate networks.
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