When The Therapy Notes of 33K Patients Were Leaked Online (with Jenny Kleeman)
- Aug 25, 2026
- 41:39
- Full Episode
Imagine receiving an email from a stranger that said your therapist’s notes about you would be released onto the internet for all to see — unless you paid a ransom. That’s exactly what happened to 33,000 people in Finland in 2020, and it became the biggest criminal case in the country’s history.
You can read Jenny Kleeman's reporting on this story (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/17/vastaamo-hack-finland-therapy-notes), and listen to her BBC podcast, called Ransom Man (https://www.bbc.com/audio/series/m002q86y).
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Chapters: 0:00 Intro 01:08 No ordinary junk mail 02:02 Tina's story 05:21 The release of the therapy notes 06:41 A letter from the hacker 09:43 Who was behind the attack? 15:19 Who is Julius Kivimaki? 20:00 The investigation 29:44 The arrest 32:44 The trial 36:37 Meeting Julius Kivimaki
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Brief Summary
The episode discusses the hacking of Vastimo, the leak of sensitive therapy records, and its impact on victims in Finland.
Key points
- The Finnish Therapy Hack. A hacker demands ransom from a psychotherapy clinic, threatening to release sensitive patient records.
- Tina's Terrifying Discovery. Tina, a victim, receives a ransom email while unwinding in a sauna, unaware of the widespread breach.
- The Hacker's Identity. Investigators link the hack to notorious hacker Julius Kimaki through digital breadcrumbs.
- The Impact of the Leak. The leak caused profound emotional distress among victims, affecting their trust in therapy.
- The Arrest of Julius Kivaki. After years of investigation, Julius Kivaki was arrested in Paris under a false identity.
- The Trial Experience. The trial became a public spectacle, with thousands of victims watching from theaters.
Episode highlights
- Tina's Terrifying DiscoveryTina, a victim, receives a ransom email while unwinding in a sauna, unaware of the widespread breach.“She thought she was going to have a heart attack and didn't know what to do.”4:10Aug 25, 2026
- The Hacker's IdentityInvestigators link the hack to notorious hacker Julius Kimaki through digital breadcrumbs.“The hacker had also been looking for details relevant to Julius Kimaki's loved ones.”21:59Aug 25, 2026
- The Impact of the LeakThe leak caused profound emotional distress among victims, affecting their trust in therapy.“A lot of people had completely lost faith in the therapeutic process.”29:29Aug 25, 2026
- The Arrest of Julius KivakiAfter years of investigation, Julius Kivaki was arrested in Paris under a false identity.“He was finally arrested and sent back to Finland to face justice.”31:14Aug 25, 2026
- The Trial ExperienceThe trial became a public spectacle, with thousands of victims watching from theaters.“The trial was a bit of a circus.”32:43Aug 25, 2026
