Investigation has been launched after hackers broke into Denmark’s national registry and gained access to the personal information of around 8.8 million people, the digital affairs ministry said on Monday.
“The administration of the national registry (CPR) has found that unauthorised individuals obtained illegal access, in particular to the names, addresses and CPR numbers of around 8.8 million registered people,” including those who have died or emigrated, the ministry said in a press release. CPR numbers are Denmark’s social security numbers.
“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.
Denmark has a population of around six million, but the national registry holds information on 11 million people, including the deceased and those who have emigrated.
An investigation has been launched. The hackers have not yet been identified. Authorities said the intruders gained entry by hacking a Danish company that legally had access to the registry. That access has not been revoked.
