South Karelia social welfare region files police report after sensitive client location data found discarded outdoors

The South Karelia social welfare region has filed a police report after documents containing floor plans and room assignments for care home residents were discovered discarded in a forest area near Lappeenranta, public broadcaster Yle reports.

A couple discovered four sheets of paper while outdoors on Sunday in the Ruoholampi area, west of Lappeenranta. The documents included names and care-related details of 75 clients from three facilities: Pienniemenkatu care home, part of Juurakkokatu care home, and one floor of Lehmuskoti care home.

According to welfare region director Sally Leskinen, the papers contained “location maps” showing which room each resident occupied. While she stated the exposed data would not pose an immediate danger if misused, the region treats the data breach with “utmost seriousness.”

The welfare region has contacted nearly all affected clients or their next of kin by Wednesday afternoon. Authorities are interviewing all staff who worked at the three facilities in March to determine how the documents ended up outdoors. The area has been searched, with no further sensitive materials found.

A criminal report has been submitted, though the exact nature of potential charges was not specified in the Yle report.