This is how the victims of Vastamo’s data breach reacted to the information about the documentary series – 2024-02-25 07:32:29

Many victims of the data breach at the psychotherapy center Vastaamo have been dismayed by the information reported by MTV on Thursday, according to which the data breach and the suspect Aleksanteri from Kivimäki a documentary series is in the works.

A victim of a data breach living in Uusimaa Berry says that it’s about feasting on the victims’ suffering and financing.

– In my opinion, it is completely classless that we start producing some media entertainment for people about a crime that affects us, the victims, and we have not been asked for an opinion on the matter.

Many victims interviewed by Iltalehti think that Kivimäki, who is suspected of obtaining and leaking the sensitive information of more than 33,000 people, will be made a hero in the program.

A lawyer representing several data breach stakeholders, i.e. victims Jenni Raiskio says he has been contacted by victims who have read news stories about the documentary series.

– Yes, it arouses disgust that for what reason those suspected of a crime, in this case Kivimäki, receive such attention.

At the time of the data breach, Tiina Parikka was the principal of the Watchmaking School. Now he is a leadership developer. Stock photo. Petteri Paalasmaa

“Let’s create a hero character”

In the data breach and the subsequent data leak, the personal data of about 33,000 people and, in addition, very sensitive therapy data, ended up in the wrong hands and eventually on the dark web.

Many victims feel that the torment, which has been going on for years, will only get longer and worse because of a possible documentary series.

– It’s not a good thing when you yourself have been a victim of these crimes and still carry anxiety about it today, says Jenni Raiskio.

One of the victims is Tiina Parikka, who has spoken publicly about the consequences of a data breach from the victim’s point of view. Like many others, Parikka is critical of the ongoing documentary series.

– You can say that it’s not the intention, but let’s create a little bit of a hero figure like that or give space, Parikka suspects.

“Strange approach”

Tiina Parikka estimates that the documentary about Aleksanteri Kivimäki can at worst inspire new similar crimes.

– It certainly resonates with those who are inclined to commit such crimes and who perhaps think that this is the way to get into the limelight.

Parikka emphasizes that Kivimäki is only suspected of crimes and there is no information whether he will prove to be guilty of the data breach.

Despite that, Parikka criticizes the media attention the suspect has already received, where it has been pointed out that he has had to be in pretrial detention as the father of a small child.

– Without taking a stand on his own tragedy, it does seem to us victims to be a rather strange approach, when he is now suspected of embezzling the data of more than 33,000 people.

The district court of Länsi-Uusimaa released Kivimäki from pretrial detention on February 5. Kivimäki was released from pretrial detention. However, the Helsinki Court of Appeal ordered him to be re-imprisoned on Monday.

Kivimäki has not reported to the police and he has been wanted.

Years of torment

In addition to Parika, the attention received by Kivimäki, who is suspected of data breach, has taken attention away from the victims’ suffering, in the opinion of many other victims.

Many emphasize that the torture has been going on for years. The data breach became public in October 2020.

– The perpetrator has caused much more harm than he even knows how to bring to the public, native of Uusimaa Jati states.

He says that for him and many others, the leaking of information has led to absences from work and trips to the doctor, among other things.

– I have also had very sensitive information leaked online. There is information that you really don’t want others to know. It caused quite a panic and fear of flight.

A possible documentary series, whenever and wherever it would be published, would re-open the wounds of the victims who have already been through a lot, Jati reflects. He says that he has already heard that the incident has resulted in sad stories for many of his companions.

– The documentary would probably re-open all my emotions for me, if it is ever published. It won’t make anyone’s victim’s life any easier, at least in no way, if they’re in the mood for it. On the contrary, it can cause additional trauma to many.

And still continues

Living in central Finland thingumajig is also a victim of Vastamo’s data leak. He says that since personal data has been leaked, it has been necessary to constantly take care that, for example, they are not used to take out loans or make purchases.

– Credit bans have to be made, and then you always have to remember if they are up to date.

Once information is leaked, it hardly ever disappears from circulation. Credit bans and other security measures cause victims not only trouble but also costs.

The mental pressure of the victims has lasted almost three and a half years, and at least in Marja’s opinion, there is no relief in sight. He has followed the trial closely and thinks that the district court will not say the last word in the matter

– I live and breathe the trial at the moment. I know that when the verdict comes or doesn’t come, then it will be taken to court. It will continue for years.

Marja is one of those who do not consider Aleksanteri Kivimäki to be guilty of data breach until the matter is legally established in court.

– I just would like to find out who did it and then I can live with it.

“Triggers many traumas”

The victim of the data breach, Jati, also states that getting a solution to the matter would be important for him and many other victims. He doesn’t need more feasting.

– If this case is now being discussed on TV properly, it will trigger many traumas.

According to MTV, the documentary has been filmed for about a year. There is no information about which channel or streaming service the series will be shown on.

Lawyer Jenni Raiskio, who represents several victims, says that she has not observed any signs of filming in the district court of Länsi-Uusimaa that could be related to the making of the documentary series.

Jati, Marja and Anu, who were interviewed for the story, do not appear in the story with their real names due to the sensitivity of the matter. Their identities are known to Iltalehti.

Iltalehti exceptionally publishes the name of the accused before the district court’s decision based on the social significance of the Vastaamo data breach and the suspect’s serious criminal background.