Finnish firms still using Putin’s 25-year-old tool, expert warns

A Finnish expert warns that even rational companies in Finland are unknowingly using a Russian blacklist tool that has been under Vladimir Putin’s direct control for 25 years.

Kaari Mattila, a professor of working life, democracy, and human rights at the University of Eastern Finland, told Yle that many businesses lack sufficient awareness of Russia’s hybrid influence methods. She expressed concern that Finnish companies remain vulnerable to Russian manipulation, noting that Rosfinmonitoring—the Russian financial watchdog maintaining the blacklist—has operated under Putin since its founding.

Yle reported Friday that a Russian man granted asylum in Finland due to political persecution was denied a rental apartment by Kodisto, a Finnish housing service, because the credit agency Asiakastieto had provided data from Rosfinmonitoring’s blacklist. The list is used by Russian authorities to target dissidents and opponents. Finland’s Non-Discrimination Ombudsman ruled that Kodisto engaged in discrimination, while Asiakastieto may have indirectly contributed. Using the list is not illegal in Finland.

Mattila emphasized that Russia’s influence extends beyond borders, posing risks to both individuals and European unity. She questioned how well companies understand Russia’s operations, adding that Finland has not adequately discussed how to protect dissidents and human rights defenders fleeing Russia and Belarus.

“Of course it’s a security issue when even sensible actors mistakenly treat information provided by Russia as reliable,” Mattila said.