COPENHAGEN: Hackers have gained unauthorised access to the personal information of around 8.8 million people held in Denmark’s national population registry, the country’s Ministry of Digital Affairs said on Monday.
The compromised information includes names, addresses and CPR numbers, Denmark’s equivalent of social security numbers, according to a ministry statement.
“The administration of the national registry (CPR) has found that unauthorised individuals obtained illegal access” to the data of around 8.8 million registered people, including some who have died or emigrated, the ministry said.
“This is an extremely serious incident,” Digital Affairs Minister Christina Egelund was quoted as saying. “Together with all the relevant authorities, we are in the process of mapping out the full extent of the incident,” she added.
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Denmark has a population of around six million, but its national registry contains information on about 11 million people, including deceased individuals and those who have emigrated. An investigation has been launched into the breach, while the identities of the hackers remain unknown, the ministry said.
According to the government, the hackers gained access to the registry by compromising a Danish company that was legally authorised to access the system. The company’s access to the registry has not yet been revoked.
