2014 Se og Hør media scandal

Danish media scandal thumb|Credit card transactions were leaked to the gossip magazine Se og Hør. The 2014 Se og Hør media scandal (Danish: Se og Hør-sagen), also known as the Nets-scandal (Danish: Nets-skandalen) or the hush-hush scandal (Danish: tys-tys-skandalen), Rasmus Nielsen Danish Borger - var dig Citizen - take heed Altinget 2 May 2014 http://www.altinget.dk/artikel/borger-var-dig was a media and IT surveillance scandal in Denmark that broke in 2014. An IT professional employed at IBM leaked sensitive personal data from the Nordic payment services company Nets to the Danish gossip magazine Se og Hør, which allowed the magazine to obtain information on celebrities' and other individuals' use of credit cards. The scandal came to public attention late in April 2014 after the publication (in Denmark) of the journalist and author Ken B. Rasmussen's roman à clef Livet, det forbandede (English: Life, the damned). A large number of organisations and media groups were ultimately involved, including Nets, IBM, Nordea, Fujitsu, SAS, Naviair, Rigshospsitalet, the Danish armed forces, TV 2, Ekstra Bladet, and Aller Media with their magazines Billed-Bladet and Se og Hør. Background Se og Hør, which is published weekly, has long carried revealing stories about celebrities. The magazine had previously had "an amicable relationship with the famous", where subjects could prevent the publication of negative stories about themselves. This attitude is perceived to have changed with the appointment of Henrik Qvortrup as editor-in-chief, with Ken B. Rasmussen commenting that "we had no ethical standards that had to be upheld as a matter of life and death". Casper Christensen: Qvortrup erklærede krig mod de kendte Danish Casper Christensen: Qvortrup declared war on the famous Local Eyes 19 May 2014 http://localeyes.dk/70839-1234-casper-christensen-qvortrup-erklaerede-krig-mod-de-kendte/ Qvortrup introduced a monetary reward for members of the public who phoned the magazine with tip-offs that lead to published stories. Henrik Jensen Chris Kjær Jessen Simon Bendtsen Se og Hør fortsætter med omstridt tip-ordning Danish Se og Hør continue with controversial tip-off rewards Berlingske 4 May 2014 http://www.b.dk/nationalt/se-og-hoer-fortsaetter-med-omstridt-tip-ordning The magazine's owner, Aller Media, would pay up to DKK 10,000 cash-in-hand to sources. Lars Fogt Eks-sekretær på Se og Hør: Sorte penge almindeligt i Aller Danish Former secretary at Se og Hør: cash-in-hand normal at Aller Metroxpress 2 May 2014 http://www.mx.dk/nyheder/danmark/story/15003616 9 August 2020 8 August 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140808054823/http://www.mx.dk/nyheder/danmark/story/15003616 dead The surveillance thumb|A former IBM employee is believed to have leaked personal information to Se og Hør. In 2007, Nets outsourced the maintenance of their central IT systems to IBM, which included the transfer of 71 workers. Se og Hørs so-called hush-hush source is believed to have been amongst the transferred workers. Uffer Jørgensen Morten Mærsk Karina Svensgaard Simon Andersen Ny BT-afsløring: Kreditkort-spionen var ansat i IBM Danish New BT reveal: credit card spy was employed at IBM BT 29 April 2014 http://www.bt.dk/nyheder/ny-bt-afsloering-kreditkort-spionen-var-ansat-i-ibm The surveillance of celebrities by this source is believed to have begun in 2008. According to investigations in the media, the source received a text message whenever a tracked celebrity used their credit card. The message was possibly sent automatically and could be received by the source at home. Soon after, the source would forward the text to journalists at Se og Hør. Sabine Matz Peter Krogh Andersen DR afslører hemmelige sms'er fra tys-tys-kilden Danish DR reveal secret text messages from the hush-hush source DR 1 May 2014 http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Kultur/Medier/2014/05/01/194101.htm This may have been repeated several times a day. The source was apparently unable to add names to the list of tracked celebrities freely; only at certain times could the list be expanded with the names of new persons, after which they would also be under surveillance. Journalists at Se og Hør could suggest new names to the source, which was referred to internally as "bidding". It was initially uncertain how the surveillance was technically accomplished, but the programmer and IT-blogger Poul-Henning Kamp made the educated guess that it involved an existing "trace" facility in the Nets credit card handling system. Under normal circumstances, this system was only available to police with a court order to track wanted criminals. Kamp suggested that the system involved a real-time SMS service sending text messages directly to the police, which would reduce the paperwork burden for both the police and Nets. Poul-Henning Kamp Man får hvad man betaler for Danish You get what you pay for Version2 30 April 2014 http://www.version2.dk/blog/man-faar-hvad-man-betaler-58141 It remains unclear whether either of Nets or IBM had a functioning Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system monitoring their credit card infrastructure. However, IT experts concluded that there was evidence for the absence of a competent system and commented that such a system should have detected the irregularities. Jakob Sorgenfri Kjær IBM tog ikke sin egen medicin under Se og Hør-læk Danish IBM didn't take their own medicine during Se og Hør leak Politiken 1 August 2014 http://politiken.dk/forbrugogliv/digitalt/ECE2356086/ibm-tog-ikke-sin-egen-medicin-under-se-og-hoer-laek/ During proceedings at Østre Landsret in July 2014 and at the Supreme Court in December 2014, the prosecutor presented their understanding of how it was possible for the source to obtain sensitive data. According to state barrister Mohammad Ahsan, the source had access to data about card transactions but not associated names. Ahsan further commented that it would have been possible to match names to transactions by the source resetting colleagues' passwords and then logging in via their accounts. Ritzau FAKTA: Sådan arbejdede tys-tys-kilden i Se og Hør-sagen Danish FACTS: how the hush-hush source worked during the Se og Hør case Jyllands-Posten 18 December 2014 http://jyllands-posten.dk/indland/politiretsvaesen/ECE7301027/FAKTA-S%C3%A5dan-arbejdede-tys-tys-kilden-i-Se-og-H%C3%B8r-sagen/ Jan Lauridtsen Astrid Søndberg Afsløret i retten: Sådan snød tys tys-kilde Nets' sikkerhedskontrol Danish Revealed in court: how the hush-hush source cheated Nets' security TV 2 11 July 2014 http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/krimi/2014-07-11-afsl%C3%B8ret-i-retten-s%C3%A5dan-sn%C3%B8d-tys-tys-kilde-nets-sikkerhedskontrol alt=|left|thumb|Prince Joachim of Denmark was one of the individuals under surveillance. thumb|Politician Morten Helveg Petersen was one of the individuals under surveillance. According to Ken B. Rasmussen, "anyone with even the slightest reputation" was under surveillance. Ritzau Se og Hør-forfatter: Så godt som alle danske kendisser blev overvåget Danish Se og Hør author: essentially all Danish media personalities were under surveillance Politiken 1 May 2014 http://politiken.dk/kultur/medier/ECE2277791/se-og-hoer-forfatter-saa-godt-som-alle-danske-kendisser-blev-overvaaget/ As well as celebrities, this included murder suspects and accident victims. Anders Kjærulff Rasmus Mark Pedersen Forfatter: Se og Hør overvågede også trafikofre og mordeftersøgte Danish Author: Se og Hør also had road accident victims and murder suspects under surveillance BT 2 May 2014 http://www.bt.dk/danmark/forfatter-se-og-hoer-overvaagede-ogsaa-trafikofre-og-mordeftersoegte At least 86 people had personal information about them leaked by the source. Uffe Jørgensen Morten Mærsk Simon Andersen Maria Runøe Møller Karina Svensgaard Se og Hør-skandalen: Journalister fik hemmelige oplysninger om Pia K. Danish Se og Hør scandal: Journalists obtained secret information about Pia K. BT 13 June 2014 http://www.bt.dk/danmark/se-og-hoer-skandalen-journalister-fik-hemmelige-oplysninger-om-pia-k High-profile victims included Prince Joachim, the comedian Casper Christensen, and the TV host Line Baun Danielsen. In Prince Joachim's case, the surveillance allowed Se og Hør to locate the Prince and Princess Marie on their otherwise secret honeymoon to Canada following their marriage in May 2008. Baun Danielsen's payment at a private hospital was leaked. Morten Mærsk Simon Andersen Uffe Jørgensen Karina Svensgaard Skandale: Se og Hør bag ulovlig overvågning af kendte og kongeliges hævekort Danish Scandal: Se og Hør behind illegal surveillance of celebrities' and royals' bank cards BT 27 April 2014 http://www.bt.dk/krimi/skandale-se-og-hoer-bag-ulovlig-overvaagning-af-kendte-og-kongeliges-haevekort The former professional cyclist Bo Hamburger (who had previously attended school with the alleged source) was also a victim. Maria Runøe Møller Tidligere stjernerytter rystet: Tys tys-kilden overvågede sin barndomsven Danish Former star cyclist shaken: Hush-hush source spied on his childhood friend BT 3 May 2014 http://www.bt.dk/danmark/tidligere-stjernerytter-rystet-tys-tys-kilden-overvaagede-sin-barndomsven The magazine debated whether credit card transactions detailing the politician Morten Helveg Petersen's travel around Europe by plane, including hotel bookings in Rome, were sufficient grounds for a story. Uffe Jørgensen Morten Mærsk Karina Svensgaard Simon Andersen Ny mail belaster Qvortrup - ville skrive om 'kærlighedstur' Danish New email problematic for Qvortrup - wanted to write about 'love trip' BT 3 May 2014 http://www.bt.dk/nyheder/ny-mail-belaster-qvortrup-ville-skrive-om-kaerlighedstur These leaks by the source did lead to Rasmussen writing a story for the magazine in 2008 titled Morten Helveg Petersen: Kærlighedsferie betalt af skatteyderne (English: Morten Helveg Petersen: Love holiday funded by taxpayers), Ken B. Rasmussen Morten Helveg Petersen: Kærlighedsferie betalt af skatteyderne Danish Morten Helveg Petersen: Love holiday funded by taxpayers Se og Hør 1 July 2008 http://www.seoghoer.dk/Nyheder/Kendte%20DK/Morten%20helveg%20skattebetalt%20ferie.aspx 9 August 2020 3 August 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080803184450/http://www.seoghoer.dk/Nyheder/Kendte%20DK/Morten%20helveg%20skattebetalt%20ferie.aspx dead which used the leaks to detail Helveg Petersen's personal relationship with Baun Danielsen during an official NATO meeting. Morten Mærsk Karina Svensgaard Uffe Jørgensen Simon Andersen Efter BTs afsløringer: Morten Helveg politianmelder Se og Hør Danish After BTs revelations: Morten Helveg reports Se og Hør to the police BT 28 April 2014 http://www.bt.dk/danmark/efter-bts-afsloeringer-morten-helveg-politianmelder-se-og-hoer At the time, Helveg Petersen demanded a retraction of the story Bjarne Henrik Lundis Morten og Line: Se & Hør er fulde af løgn Danish Morten and Line: Se & Hør is full of lies BT 1 July 2008 http://www.bt.dk/underholdning/morten-og-line-se-hoer-er-fulde-af-loegn and bought the case before the Danish Press Council, where he lost in October 2008. Camilla Albrechtsen Morten Helveg Petersen: Tabte sag mod SE og HØR Danish Morten Helveg Petersen: Lost case against SE og HØR Se og Hør 30 October 2008 http://www.seoghoer.dk/Nyheder/Kendte%20DK/Arkiv/2008/10/Morten%20Helveg%20Petersen%20Tabte%20til%20SE%20og%20HOER.aspx 9 August 2020 13 November 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091113114009/http://www.seoghoer.dk/Nyheder/Kendte%20DK/Arkiv/2008/10/Morten%20Helveg%20Petersen%20Tabte%20til%20SE%20og%20HOER.aspx dead Several individuals under the protection of PET were also affected: former Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen had his card transactions leaked, Laura Marie Sørensen Line Gertsen Maria Lyhne Høj Kristian Sloth Sikkerheden omkring Løkke som statsminister havde et alvorligt brist Danish Security around Løkke as Prime Minister had serious breach DR 18 June 2014 http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2014/06/18/145126.htm while Pia Kjærsgaard and her husband Henrik Thorup additionally had their CPR numbers and secret home address leaked. In Spring 2010, PwC carried out an inspection of IBM's running of Nets' NemID. The report highlighted several problems with access and credential handling. Michael Lund Niels Fastrup Tanja Nyrup Madsen Nets advaret om sikkerhedshul hos IBM i 2010 Danish Nets warned of security hole at IBM in 2010 DR 5 May 2014 http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Penge/2014/05/05/05204726.htm It is unknown when Nets and IBM were last inspected by the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority; no publicly released inspections have occurred since 2010, and inspections were not publicised before that date. Niels Fastrup Michael Lund Intet tilsyn med Nets i årevis Danish No inspection of Nets for years DR 5 May 2014 http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Penge/2014/05/05/05211336.htm According to Ken B. Rasmussen's novel, the source received DKK 10,000 per month, for a total payment of DKK 310,000 over the course of the surveillance. The source was also provided with access to concerts through Se og Hør's press credentials, including to the TV 2 event Top Charlie. They attended an after-party with guests including Keld and Hilda Heick. Simon Bendtsen Henrik Jensen Mette Dahlgaard Hemmelig kilde var til fest med Se og Hør i Parken i lørdags Danish Secret source attended party with Se og Hør at Parken Stadium last Saturday Berlingske 29 April 2014 http://www.b.dk/nationalt/hemmelig-kilde-var-til-fest-med-se-og-hoer-i-parken-i-loerdags At least 16 employees at Se og Hør, including the editors-in-chief Henrik Qvortrup and Kim Henningsen, were aware of the source's existence. Uffe Jørgensen Morten Mærsk Karina Svensgaard Simon Andersen 16 Se og Hør-folk kendte til ulovlig overvågning Danish 16 Se og Hør employees were aware of illegal surveillance BT 30 April 2014 http://www.bt.dk/danmark/16-se-og-hoer-folk-kendte-til-ulovlig-overvaagning-0 Additionally, the parent company Aller Media's management were aware. In emails from 2011, the Aller Media publishing director Per Ingdal acknowledged awareness of the source from 2009 and instructed Henningsen to cease working with the source. Line Gertsen Michael Lund Nina Munch-Perrin Mikkel Westphal Stephensen Allers top kendte til hemmelige Se og Hør-kilde Danish Aller's leadership were aware of secret Se og Hør source DR 28 May 2014 http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Kultur/Medier/2014/05/28/171707.htm A separate email implicated creative editor Steffen Sørensen and photo editor Peter Grosen in the case. Morten Mærsk Simon Andersen Uffe Jørgensen Karina Svensgaard Flere Se og Hør-chefer belastes af mail om kreditkortkilde Danish Several Se og Hør chiefs saddled with emails about credit card source BT 5 June 2014 http://www.bt.dk/danmark/flere-se-og-hoer-chefer-belastes-af-mail-om-kreditkortkilde-0 However, according to Se og Hør journalist Kasper Kopping, the source was further used until the then news manager Lise Bondesen ordered a complete stop in Autumn 2011. Carsten Norton David Andersen Se og Hør-journalist: Ja, vi brugte tys-tys-kilden Danish Se og Hør journalist: Yes, we used hush-hush source Ekstra Bladet 2 May 2014 http://ekstrabladet.dk/112/article2274709.ece Ken B. Rasmussen left the magazine in 2012. The photographer Michael Medgyesi, who worked as a freelance photographer at Se og Hør, warned Nets as early as 18 January 2013 that journalists at the magazine had access to sensitive credit card transactions. Nets initiated an investigation as a result but found nothing. Anne Schøning Christensen Se og Hør-sag: Nets var advaret om læk Danish Se og Hør case: Nets were warned about leak TV 2 1 May 2014 http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/samfund/2014-05-01-se-og-h%C3%B8r-sag-nets-var-advaret-om-l%C3%A6k https://archive.today/20140501184957/http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/samfund/2014-05-01-se-og-h%C3%B8r-sag-nets-var-advaret-om-l%C3%A6k dead 1 May 2014 Medgysei had also previously (in 2011) contacted PET regarding the unlawful access. At the time, PET called a meeting but found no justification to continue investigating. Kasper B. Andreasen Minister bekræfter: PET kendte til Se og Hørs overvågning Danish Minister confirms: PET were aware of Se og Hør's surveillance TV 2 14 June 2014 http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/2014-06-14-minister-bekr%C3%A6fter-pet-kendte-til-se-og-h%C3%B8rs-overv%C3%A5gning Medgysei's suspicions were initially aroused by three overseas photo assignments in 2008 and 2009, where he was given information by the magazine on the locations of Janni Spies, Anni Fønsby, Stein Bagger's daughter, and Bagger's partner Annete Uttenthal. Uffe Jørgensen Simon Andersen Morten Mærsk BT afslører: Her er Se og Hør-fotografen, der fortalte PET alt Danish BT reveals: Here is the Se og Hør photographer that told PET everything BT http://www.bt.dk/danmark/bt-afsloerer-her-er-se-og-hoer-fotografen-der-fortalte-pet-alt 16 June 2014 The source had authorised access to the NemID system as part of their work, and logged on to this at least once. Michael Lund Niels Fastrup Tys-tys-kilde havde adgang til Nem-ID Danish Hush-hush source had access to Nem-ID DR http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Penge/2014/05/12/095541.htm 12 May 2014 Additionally the source had FE security clearance to work with the Danish armed forces' IT system DeMars, which had been outsourced to IBM in 2010. One of the source's department's responsibilities was to monitor DeMars. The armed forces found no evidence that the source misused access to the system. Michael Lund Niels Fastrup Se og Hør-kilde var sikkerhedsgodkendt til forsvarets it Danish Se og Hør source had security clearance for armed forces' IT DR http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Kultur/Medier/2014/05/15/183121.htm 15 May 2014 Following their employment at IBM, the source consulted for Fujitsu. This included work for Fujitsu's client Nordea immediately up to the breaking of the scandal. At Nordea, the source had access to internal monitoring systems and performed maintenance on them if they stopped working. Nordea felt satisfied that the source did not leak personal information using their access there. Morten Mærsk Simon Andersen Karina Svensgaard Uffe Jørgensen Nordea sender mistænkt Se og Hør-spion hjem Danish Nordea sends suspected Se og Hør spy home BT http://www.bt.dk/danmark/nordea-sender-mistaenkt-se-og-hoer-spion-hjem 29 April 2014 Breaking of the scandal Ken B. Rasmussen's roman à clef was scheduled for release on 29 April 2014. However, a few days prior to this, BT broke the scandal after finding documentation for the parts of the book based on fact. The then former Se og Hør journalist Kenth G. Madsen confirmed to BT that the magazine had a source for credit card transactions, Karina Svensgaard Uffe Jørgensen Morten Mærsk Simon Andersen Journalist står frem: Der var en kreditkort-kilde på Se og Hør Danish Journalist steps forward: There was a credit card source at Se og Hør BT 30 April 2014 http://www.bt.dk/danmark/journalist-staar-frem-der-var-en-kreditkort-kilde-paa-se-og-hoer which was later corroborated by the then current Se og Hør journalist Kasper Kopping. The scandal drew large coverage in the media. Even the royal household issued a statement, calling it "an especially serious case". Mikkel Fruerboel Secher Kongehuset om Se og Hør-skandale: Særdeles alvorlig sag Danish TV 2 The royal household on the Se og Hør scandal: especially serious case 1 May 2014 http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/samfund/2014-05-01-kongehuset-om-se-og-h%C3%B8r-skandale-s%C3%A6rdeles-alvorlig-sag Rasmus Mark Pedersen, the Director of Journalists for the Danish Union of Journalists, was "completely shocked" and believed the scandal was "without equal the worst case in the history of Danish press". Kristian Madsen Journalist-formand: Den værste sag i dansk pressehistorie Danish Journalist chief: The worst case in Danish press history Politiken http://politiken.dk/kultur/medier/ECE2277114/journalist-formand-den-vaerste-sag-i-dansk-pressehistorie/ 1 May 2014 The victim Pia Kjærsgaard described the surveillance as "incredibly uncomfortable", while the additionally monitored Morten Helveg Petersen felt it was "crossing a line", "wildly uncomfortable" and "extremely offensive". He also compared Se og Hørs actions to "pure Stasi methods". Uffe Jørgensen Morten Mærsk Karina Svensgaard Simon Andersen Se og Hør ville skrive om 'kærlighedstur': 'Det er stasi-metoder' Danish Se og Hør wanted to write about 'love trip': 'They are Stasi methods' BT http://www.bt.dk/nyheder/se-og-hoer-ville-skrive-om-kaerlighedstur-det-er-stasi-metoder IBM called it "a very serious case" and wrote in an announcement that it would carry out a "complete investigation". Jesper Kildebogaard IBM om Se og Hør-skandalen: 'En rigtig alvorlig sag' Danish IBM on the Se og Hør scandal: 'A very serious case' Version2 http://www.version2.dk/artikel/ibm-om-se-og-hoer-skandalen-en-rigtig-alvorlig-sag-58129 29 April 2014 Following this, it followed a policy of very sparse communication regarding the scandal. Vibe Hyltoft IBM i flyverskjul i Se og Hør-sag Danish IBM in hiding over Se og Hør case Berlingske http://www.business.dk/media/ibm-i-flyverskjul-i-se-og-hoer-sag 1 June 2014 Se og Hørs former chief editor Henrik Qvortrup initially denied any knowledge of the case. However, a few days after the breaking of the scandal he resigned as a political commentator for TV 2, Ritzau Henrik Qvortrup stopper på TV2 efter Se og Hør-skandale Danish Henrik Qvortrup leaves TV2 after Se og Hør scandal Information http://www.information.dk/telegram/495694 29 April 2014 and shortly after that BT published emails that implicated Qvortrup in the surveillance program. On 1 May 2014, Se og Hør opted to suspend and send home (with full pay) 7 employees that were seemingly involved in the surveillance. Kaare Sørensen Se og Hør sender syv medarbejdere hjem Danish Se og Hør send seven employees home Jyllands-Posten http://jyllands-posten.dk/indland/ECE6683812/se-og-hoer-sender-syv-medarbejdere-hjem/ 30 April 2014 Additionally, Billed-Bladet suspended two of their employees, including an editor-in-chief. This was after it was revealed that the employees had, under previous employment at Se og Hør, received emails about the source. Ekstra Bladet suspended their editor-in-chief Lise Bondesen for the same reason. Uffe Jørgensen Morten Mærsk Simon Andersen Karina Svensgaard Skandalen breder sig: Billed-Bladet-folk sendt hjem Danish The scandal deepens: Billed-Bladet employees sent home BT http://www.bt.dk/danmark/skandalen-breder-sig-billed-bladet-folk-sendt-hjem 30 April 2014 While suspended, Bondesen wrote an article in Ekstra Bladet giving her version of events, Mads Kastrup "Lækre Line" samt andre væsentligheder Danish "Lucious Line" and other events Berlingske http://kastrup.blogs.berlingske.dk/2014/05/02/laekre-line-samt-andre-vaesentligheder/ 2 May 2014 9 August 2020 2 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140502215315/http://kastrup.blogs.berlingske.dk/2014/05/02/laekre-line-samt-andre-vaesentligheder/ dead and she resigned on 2 May 2014. Louise Kielstrup TV 2 erfarer: Lise Bondesen forlader Ekstra Bladet Danish TV 2 experiences: Line Bondesen leaves Ekstra Bladet TV 2 http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/2014-05-02-tv-2-erfarer-lise-bondesen-forlader-ekstra-bladet https://archive.today/20140502184951/http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/2014-05-02-tv-2-erfarer-lise-bondesen-forlader-ekstra-bladet dead 2 May 2014 2 May 2014 On 19 June 2014, Ekstra Bladet revealed that the so-called hush-hush source had confirmed his identity to the police. Carsten Norton Her er tys-tys kilden Danish Here's the hush-hush source Ekstra Bladet http://ekstrabladet.dk/112/article2309384.ece 19 June 2014 He subsequently demanded anonymity but this was rejected by the judge at Retten i Glostrup with reference to "the circumstances surrounding the charge's severity and the very significant media coverage of, and public interest in, the case about Se og Hør". Astrid Søndberg Tys tys-kilde afvist: Krævede at få navneforbud Danish Hush-hush source rejected: demanded anonymity TV 2 http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/krimi/2014-06-20-tys-tys-kilde-afvist-kr%C3%A6vede-f%C3%A5-navneforbud 20 June 2014 Aller Media had not reported their editorial database to the Danish Data Protection Agency and were therefore possibly not protected by press data protection laws. This could have meant that individuals registered in the database has a right to obtain the information held about them. Politiken reported that the victim Casper Christensen considered using this to force Aller to release his data. Jakob Sorgenfri Kjær Casper Christensen vil se sine oplysninger i Se og Hørs database Danish Casper Christensen wants to see his information in Se og Hør's database Politiken http://politiken.dk/kultur/medier/ECE2348899/casper-christensen-vil-se-sine-oplysninger-i-se-og-hoers-database/ 23 July 2014 Further fallout Complementing the hush-hush source revelations, a previous employee at Nets described how customer service team members had, without additional training or checks, complete access to all customer data from their very first working day. The employee felt that there was insufficient monitoring to prevent misuse and commented: Jesper Kildebogaard Tidligere Nets-ansat: Alle i kundeservice har adgang til danskernes kortoplysninger - og det bliver misbrugt Danish Former Nets employee: Everyone in customer service has access to the Danes' card details - and it gets abused Version2 http://www.version2.dk/artikel/nets-ansat-alle-i-kundeservice-har-adgang-danskernes-kortoplysninger-og-misbruger-det-58172 2 May 2014 It was normal to look at what ex-partners and celebrities were using their cards for. Or to see if your partner that had supposedly quit smoking had been to the shops to buy cigarettes anyway. If your friends were out on the town, you could see where they were. For a short period prior to the scandal, Nets had outsourced their customer service department to Aditro. A former Aditro employee noted that the external workers had also had full access to Nets' payment information. Jesper Kildebogaard Ekstern kundeservice havde også fuld adgang til betalingsoplysninger hos Nets Danish External customer service also had full access to payment information at Nets Version2 http://www.version2.dk/artikel/ekstern-kundeservice-havde-ogsaa-fuld-adgang-til-betalingsoplysninger-hos-nets-58210 6 May 2014 The media revealed further leaks of sensitive data from companies other than Nets and IBM. Employees at Se og Hør stated that the magazine used a paid source at the airline SAS. Maria Malmdorf Laugesen Jesper Caruso Se og Hør-medarbejder: Vi havde kilder hos SAS Danish Se og Hør employees: We had sources at SAS TV 2 http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/samfund/2014-05-04-se-og-h%C3%B8r-medarbejder-vi-havde-kilder-hos-sas 4 May 2014 Naviair discovered that an employee leaked information about a royal household flight to the magazine. Esben Christensen Naviair: Vi har et troværdighedsproblem Danish Naviair: We have a trust problem DR http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Kultur/Medier/2014/05/05/05220404.htm 5 May 2014 Several former Se og Hør employees stated that the magazine had a source at Rigshospitalet that provided information about celebrities' maternity ultrasound scans, including those of Anders Lund Madsen's pregnant partner. The pair sued the magazine and were awarded DKK 100,000 in compensation. Sofie Sparre Kilder: Se og Hør havde betalt kilde på Rigshospitalet Danish Sources: Se og Hør had paid source at Rigshospitalet TV 2 http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/krimi/2014-05-06-kilder-se-og-h%C3%B8r-havde-betalt-kilde-p%C3%A5-rigshospitalet 6 May 2014 According to the hospital, Se og Hørs editor-in-chief denied that any of the hospital's employees had received payment from, or leaked information to, the magazine. After an internal investigation, the hospital concluded that the leak had probably occurred via a third party. Christian Carlsen Riget hemmeligholder "praj" i Se og Hør-sag Danish Rigshospitalet keeps "tip-off" in Se og Hør case secret MediaWatch.dk da http://mediawatch.dk/secure/Medienyt/Ugeblade_magasiner/article7737959.ece 8 June 2015 The singer Rasmus Nøhr described an experience following his searching by police that he believed could indicate leaks from the police to Se og Hør. Peter Schwarz-Nielsen Rasmus Nøhr: Korrupt politi hjalp Se og Hør Danish Rasmus Nøhr: Corrupt police helped Se og Hør BT http://www.bt.dk/danmark/rasmus-noehr-korrupt-politi-hjalp-se-og-hoer 3 May 2014 Henrik Qvortrup told the police that the magazine had sources at the police, the army, Copenhagen Airport's control tower, and amongst nurses. Ritzau Politiet: Se og Hør betalte kilder i politiet og hoffet Danish Police: Se og Hør paid sources in the police and army DR http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2014/07/10/0710195436.htm 10 July 2014 Several then-current and -former Se og Hør employees additionally described how, prior to October 2003, the magazine had plans to purchase bugging and listening equipment. This would have been used to access Prince Frederik's telephone but Qvortrup insisted that the plans were abandoned. Louise Damløv Se og Hør talte om at aflytte kronprins Frederiks telefon Danish Se og Hør discussed listening in on Prince Frederik's telephone DR http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Kultur/Medier/2014/06/17/132819.htm 18 June 2014 Casper Christensen also described how magazine employees pretended to be house buyers or family members in order to photograph celebrities' houses. Simone Kirstine Hansen Casper mistænker Se og Hør for at ringe til sine børns børnehave Danish Casper suspects that Se og Hør rang to his children's nursery TV 2 http://tvtid.tv2.dk/2014-05-20-Casper-mist%C3%A6nker-Se-og-H%C3%B8r-for-at-ringe-til-sine-b%C3%B8rns-b%C3%B8rnehave 20 May 2014 In 2009, several years before the scandal, the former Se og Hør employee Peter Kaae published his book I sandhedens tjeneste (English: In the service of truth). This revealed that the magazine had a source at a telecommunications firm, who was used in 1996 for stories about the professional cyclist Bjarne Riis and the handball player Anne Dorthe Tanderup. The magazine had also received a CD containing private telephone messages between the politicians Mariann Fischer Boel and Ivar Hansen. It quickly became apparent that the magazine had used illegally collected sensitive data over a large time period prior to the scandal. Georg Strøm Se og Hør brugte i 16 år ulovligt indsamlede oplysninger Danish Se og Hør used illegally obtained information for 16 years Version2 http://www.version2.dk/blog/se-og-hoer-brugte-i-16-aar-ulovligt-indsamlede-oplysninger-58198 5 May 2014 Note: the article mistakenly uses "Ivan Hansen" rather than the correct "Ivar Hansen". Investigation and inquiries thumb|Actor Mads Mikkelsen was amongst celebrities that reported Aller Media to the police. The police investigated the case. Nets headquarters are located in Ballerup and as such the responsible department was Copenhagen's Vestegns Politi. Astrid Søndberg Mulig Se og Hør-kilde arbejdede hos IBM Danish Alleged Se og Hør source worked at IBM TV 2 http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/krimi/2014-04-29-mulig-se-og-h%C3%B8r-kilde-arbejdede-hos-ibm 29 April 2014 In the days immediately following the breaking of the scandal, the police visited both IBM and Nets to investigate whether any offences had been committed. However, they were unable to determine whether a crime had taken place. Astrid Søndberg Se og Hør-skandale: Politi søger beviser hos Nets og IBM Danish Se og Hør scandal: Police seek evidence at Nets and IBM TV 2 http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/krimi/2014-04-30-se-og-h%C3%B8r-skandale-politi-s%C3%B8ger-beviser-hos-nets-og-ibm 30 April 2014 IT equipment was seized from Aller Media, which led the organisation to fear that the police would identify other sources that had been used by its child publications throughout the years. Carsten Norton Aller nægter politiet adgang til it-udstyr Danish Aller refuses police access to IT equipment Ekstra Bladet http://ekstrabladet.dk/112/article2299790.ece 5 June 2014 The police interviewed Ken B. Rasmussen under the same procedures as if he were a suspect. Ritzau Politiet afhører forfatter til Se og Hør-skandalebog Danish Police interview author of Se og Hør scandal book Politiken http://politiken.dk/kultur/medier/ECE2277623/politiet-afhoerer-forfatter-til-se-og-hoer-skandalebog/ 1 May 2014 Morten Helveg Petersen, then Det Radikale Venstre's candidate for the European Parliament, additionally reported Aller Media to the police. Michala Dieckmann Se og Hør politianmeldt: Så mange års fængsel risikerer Qvortrup Danish Se og Hør reported to police: Qvortrup faces this many years in prison BT http://www.bt.dk/danmark/se-og-hoer-politianmeldt-saa-mange-aars-faengsel-risikerer-qvortrup 30 April 2014 A number of other celebrities that had allegedly been monitored also made police reports via the lawyer Brian Werner Larsen. These initially included Casper Christensen, the actor Mads Mikkelsen, Iben Hjejle, Pell Hevnegaard, and Rigmor Zobel and her husband Jesper Ravn. David Buch Hansen Louise Kielstrup Se og Hør-skandalen: Seks kendte politianmelder Aller Danish Se og Hør scandal: Six celebrities report Aller to police TV 2 http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/samfund/2014-05-02-se-og-h%C3%B8r-skandalen-seks-kendte-politianmelder-aller 2 May 2014 The Norwegian Lene Nystrøm later joined the group represented by Larsen. Marcus Husby Ingvill Dybfest Dahl Martine Haug Nysether Aqua-Lene politianmelder danske Se og Hør Norwegian Aqua-Lene reports Danish Se og Hør VG http://www.vg.no/nyheter/utenriks/media/aqua-lene-politianmelder-danske-se-og-hoer/a/10139624/ 3 May 2014 A problem of principle regarding the police's conduct arose when computers, telephones, and other equipment were seized from Aller Media; these could have contained information relevant to the investigation but could also reveal the identities of press sources unrelated to the case. Aller Media argued to the court (Retten i Glostrup) that by seizing items, the police were violating source protection. On 17 June 2014, the court ruled that the police could examine the material, which Aller Media responded to by appealing to the Landsret (high court). Uffe Jørgensen Morten Mærsk Simon Andersen Se og Hør taber slag om kildebeskyttelse Danish Se og Hør lose battle over source protection BT http://www.bt.dk/danmark/se-og-hoer-taber-slag-om-kildebeskyttelse 17 June 2014 At the time Østre Landsret followed the previous court but in July 2014, the Højesteret ruled that the police could in fact not investigate the seized material until the main case, which later began in December 2014, had concluded in the same court. Ritzau Højesteret: Aller-materiale må endnu ikke gennemgås Danish Supreme court: Aller material can not yet be checked DR http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2014/07/22/0722151319.htm 22 July 2014 However, the state prosecutor indicated that they believed the police would be unable to satisfactorily investigate parts of the scandal if they were not allowed to use the material. Concretely, the police wished to search for the words "nurse", "police", and "source". Ritzau Anklager: Opklaring er urealistisk uden Aller-materiale Danish Prosecutor: Ruling is unrealistic without Aller material Jyllands-Posten http://jyllands-posten.dk/indland/politiretsvaesen/ECE7300949/Anklager-Opklaring-er-urealistisk-uden-Aller-materiale/ 18 December 2014 The investigation met further problems when one of the involved persons was declared too ill to be interviewed. Uffe Jørgensen Se og Hør-efterforskning sat tilbage: Chefredaktør ikke afhørt efter tre måneder Danish Se og Hør investigation delayed: Chief editor not interviewed after three months BT http://www.bt.dk/krimi/se-og-hoer-efterforskning-sat-tilbage-chefredaktoer-ikke-afhoert-efter-tre-maaneder 27 August 2014 Andreas Marckmann Andreassen Tidl. Se og Hør-chef: Derfor er jeg for syg til at blive afhørt Danish Former Se og Hør chief: Why I am too ill to be interviewed Journalisten http://journalisten.dk/tidl-se-og-hoer-chef-derfor-er-jeg-syg-til-blive-afhoert 28 August 2014 9 August 2020 1 September 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140901051932/http://journalisten.dk/tidl-se-og-hoer-chef-derfor-er-jeg-syg-til-blive-afhoert dead In January 2015, the Højesteret came to a ruling in the main case that gave the police the right to search Aller's digital storage. The ruling stated that: Mikkel Fyhn Christensen Nederlag til Se & Hør i Højesteret Danish Defeat for Se & Hør at the supreme court Jyllands-Posten http://jyllands-posten.dk/indland/politiretsvaesen/ECE7343813/Nederlag-til-Se--H%C3%B8r-i-H%C3%B8jesteret/ 8 January 2015 After considering the concrete circumstances of the case, including the nature of the illegal activity and the seizure's significance in possibly casting light on these activities as well as the lack of societal impact of releasing information about the celebrities' private lives, the Højesteret decided that adherence to source protection must be waived in favour of furthering investigation of the illegal activities. The seizures were therefore in agreement with both the Retsplejelov [court procedural law] and the European Convention on Human Rights. Copenhagen's Vestegns Politi consequently began searching the material, which filled 13 terabytes. Jesper Haue Hansen Kæmpe mængde materiale får Se og Hør-sag til at trække ud Danish Enormous quantity of material delays Se og Hør case Jyllands-Posten http://jyllands-posten.dk/indland/politiretsvaesen/ECE7650074/K%C3%A6mpe-m%C3%A6ngde-materiale-f%C3%A5r-Se-og-H%C3%B8r-sag-til-at-tr%C3%A6kke-ud/ 23 April 2015 The Danish Data Protection Agency also investigated to determine whether Se og Hør had violated Danish privacy law. They chose not to investigate Nets because that company instead fell under the jurisdiction of the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority. Lasse Hedegaard Poulsen Datatilsynet reagerer: Stiller spørgsmål til Se og Hør Danish Data Protection Agency reacts: Questions asked of Se og Hør Version2 http://www.version2.dk/artikel/datatilsynet-reagerer-stiller-spoergsmaal-til-se-og-hoer-58153 1 May 2014 Additionally the Digitaliseringsstyrelse (Agency for Digitisation) demanded a statement from Nets regarding the security of their handling of NemID. Jakob Sorgenkri Kjær Sofie Buch Hoyer Jens Anton Bjørnager Politiet og IBM undersøger endnu større datalæk Danish Police and IBM investigate even bigger data leak Politiken http://politiken.dk/indland/ECE2282841/politiet-og-ibm-undersoeger-endnu-stoerre-datalaek/ 7 May 2014 Nets themselves carried out an internal investigation and published their initial findings on 5 May 2014. They acknowledged the finding of "patterns in behaviour indicating that abuse may have occurred" and stated that the illegal actions appeared to have been carried out by an IBM employee. Later findings were passed directly to the police without public announcement. Nets Nets forstærker kontrolfunktioner Danish Nets strengthens control mechanisms Newspublicator http://newspublicator.com/e10/parker/pm/b59a3480811e6118/mc3166770/view/ https://archive.today/20140505214109/http://newspublicator.com/e10/parker/pm/b59a3480811e6118/mc3166770/view/ dead 5 May 2014 5 May 2014 The police, Nets, and IBM all investigated not just the apparent credit card information leakage to Se og Hør but also whether any further leaks had occurred, especially any involving NemID. The insurance agency Topdanmark demanded an explanation from IBM, which they used for IT services. Ritzau Se og Hør-skandale: Topdanmark kræver svar fra IBM Danish Se og Hør scandal: Topdanmark demand answers from IBM TV 2 http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/samfund/2014-05-08-se-og-h%C3%B8r-skandale-topdanmark-kr%C3%A6ver-svar-fra-ibm 8 May 2014 Aller Media initiated an external investigation led by the lawyer Henrik Stagetorn and PwC employee Mikkel Sthyr. The results were initially expected within a few weeks. Aller Media Anerkendte uvildige eksperter skal gennemføre undersøgelse hos Aller Danish Celebrated external experts to perform investigation at Aller Newspublicator http://newspublicator.dk/e10/parker/pm/d8e22fdb6d73a477/mc3162295/view/ 29 April 2014 9 August 2020 28 July 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200728215011/http://newspublicator.dk/e10/parker/pm/d8e22fdb6d73a477/mc3162295/view/ dead However, the impartiality and extent of the investigation was quickly criticised. Aller Fonden owned over 50% of the shares in Aller Holding A/S; the director of the former, law professor Linda Nielsen, chose to resign as she did not believe the investigation was sufficiently thorough. Maja Lærke Maach Allerfondens bestyrelsesformand trækker sig efter Se og Hør-sag Danish Aller Fond director resigns over Se og Hør case DR http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Kultur/Medier/2014/05/08/141920.htm 8 May 2014 The investigation was weakened by the non-cooperation of several of the involved parties, including the former Se og Hør journalist Kasper Kopping. Henrik Jensen Endnu en hovedperson nægter at deltage i Aller-undersøgelse Danish Yet another key figure refuses to participate in Aller investigation Berlingske http://www.b.dk/nationalt/endnu-en-hovedperson-naegter-at-deltage-i-aller-undersoegelse 3 June 2014 The leaks of information to Se og Hør from SAS and Copenhagen Airport led to transport minister Magnus Heunicke ordering an investigation by the Danish Transport Authority. Ritzau Transportministeren vil undersøge SAS-lækage til Se og Hør Danish Transport minister to investigate SAS leak to Se og Hør Politiken http://politiken.dk/indland/politik/ECE2280230/transportministeren-vil-undersoege-sas-laekage-til-se-og-hoer/ 5 May 2014 Reaction of the parliament thumb|Pernille Skipper, one of the members of the Folketing involved in the case's discussion. Several members of the Folketing officially asked questions regarding the case. Amongst others, in May 2014 Enhedslisten's Pernille Skipper asked the Folketing's Retsudvalg whether PET had received tip-offs in connection with the surveillance. PET's answer via the Ministry of Justice confirmed that tip-offs had been received as early as November 2011 stating that "Se og Hør apparently have access to certain information about celebrities' flights and credit card usage". Retsudvalget, Alm. del spm. 977, 2013-14 9 January 2017 http://www.ft.dk/samling/20131/almdel/REU/spm/977/svar/1144074/index.htm Folketinget The then Justice Minister Karen Hækkerup commented that it was "a damn shame" that PET had dropped investigation into the case. Bo Maltesen PET troede ikke på Se og Hør-fotograf Danish PET disbelieved Se and Hør photographer Politiken http://politiken.dk/kultur/medier/ECE2317958/pet-troede-ikke-paa-se-og-hoer-fotograf/ 16 June 2014 The Se og Hør case and various other incidences of problematic personal data protection led to the Folketing's Retsudvalg and Kulturudvalg requiring the government to accept extra binding security responsibilities in June 2014. This caused the creation of two working groups to, amongst other activities, investigate the possible need for an IT minister. Simon Reenberg Sofie Buch Hoyer Jakob Sorgenfri Kjær Regeringen tvinges til at beskytte data Danish Government forced to protect data Politiken http://politiken.dk/indland/politik/ECE2309037/regeringen-tvinges-til-at-beskytte-data/ 5 June 2014 Charges and sentences The law professional Oluf Jørgensen commented that based on the details published in the media immediately after the breaking of the scandal, he believed that legal "aggravating circumstances" were at play in the case. Søren Ploug Lilmoes Forældelsesfrist kan blive Qvortrups redning Danish Statute of limitations could save Qvortrup Berlingske http://www.b.dk/nationalt/foraeldelsesfrist-kan-blive-qvortrups-redning 30 April 2014 Frans Mortensen, another legal expert, was in agreement and specifically thought it probable the Danish Penal Code's paragraph 263 would apply. This allows for up to 6 years of imprisonment. This was significant because unless aggravating circumstances could be proven, it would be impossible to prosecute Se og Hørs former chief editor Henrik Qvortrup; having left the magazine in 2008, he was protected by the statute of limitations in the event that he had been sufficiently involved to draw charges. On 6 May 2014, the alleged hush-hush source himself was charged and attended a hearing under paragraph 263 of the Danish Penal Code. Theis Lange Olsen Politiet sigter hemmelig Se og Hør-kilde Danish Police charge secret Se og Hør source DR http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Kultur/Medier/2014/05/06/185049.htm 6 May 2014 However, the police expected to prosecute several other persons Astrid Søndberg Politiet venter flere sigtelser i Se og Hør-sag Danish Police expect further persons to be charged in Se og Hør case TV 2 http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/krimi/2014-05-06-politiet-venter-flere-sigtelser-i-se-og-h%C3%B8r-sag 6 May 2014 and indeed Henrik Qvortrup was charged and heard a few weeks later. DR journalists Henrik Qvortrup er sigtet i Se og Hør-sag Danish Henrik Qvortrup charged in Se og Hør case DR http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2014/05/22/101909.htm 22 May 2014 Se og Hørs former news chief Lise Bondesen was charged in late June. Carsten Norton Stine Eskildsen Se og Hør-sagen: Lise Bondesen sigtet Danish Se og Hør case: Line Bondsen charged Ekstra Bladet http://ekstrabladet.dk/112/article4897599.ece 27 June 2014 By December 2014, a total of eight persons had been charged in connection with the case: the source, Ken B. Rasmussen, Qvortrup, former chief editor Kim Henningsen, editor Per Ingdal, journalist Kasper Kopping, Bondesen, and Aller Media A/S (as a juridical person). Ritzau FAKTA: Her er de sigtede i Se og Hør-sagen Danish FACTS: Here are the charged persons in Se og Hør case Jyllands-Posten http://jyllands-posten.dk/indland/politiretsvaesen/ECE7300736/FAKTA-Her-er-de-sigtede-i-Se-og-H%C3%B8r-sagen/ 18 December 2014 In November 2015, 20 days in Autumn 2016 (distributed between 9 September and 24 November) were set aside for court proceedings related to the case. Jan Körner Se og Hør-sagen endelig berammet Danish Se og Hør case finally scheduled for court Ekstra Bladet http://ekstrabladet.dk/flash/dkkendte/se-og-hoer-sagen-endelig-berammet/5843809 25 November 2015 In July 2016, eight persons and Aller Media A/S were indicted Københavns Vestegns Politi Otte personer og Aller Media tiltalt i Se og Hør-sagen Danish Eight persons and Aller Media indicted in Se og Hør case Mynewsdesk http://www.mynewsdesk.com/dk/vestegnenspoliti/pressreleases/otte-personer-og-aller-media-tiltalt-i-se-og-hoer-sagen-1467395 6 July 2016 9 August 2020 11 July 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160711115940/http://www.mynewsdesk.com/dk/vestegnenspoliti/pressreleases/otte-personer-og-aller-media-tiltalt-i-se-og-hoer-sagen-1467395?utm_campaign=send_list&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sendgrid dead (under Danish law, charging is distinct from indictment, with the former being an indication by police that they believe an individual to have committed a crime and the latter being the public prosecutor's office's filing of intention to prosecute to the court). Among those indicted were Qvortrup, Henningsen, Ingdal, Kopping, and the source. Emma Toft Her er de tiltalte i Se og Hør-sagen Danish Here are the indicted persons in Se og Hør case DR https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/kultur/grafik-her-er-de-tiltalte-i-se-og-hoer-sagen 6 July 2015 The court at Glostrup announced the verdict on 24 November 2016. Ingdal received a not guilty verdict. Qvortrup was sentenced to one years' suspended imprisonment, three months' unconditional imprisonment, and 200 hours of community service. Henningsen received one year's suspended imprisonment. Rasmussen and Kopping both received suspended sentences of four months. The source was sentenced to one year and six months' unconditional imprisonment; Emma Toft Henrik Qvortrup får et år og tre måneders fængsel i Se og Hør-sagen Danish Henrik Qvortrup gets a year and three months' imprisonment in Se og Hør case DR http://www.dr.dk/nyheder/kultur/medier/henrik-qvortrup-faar-et-aar-og-tre-maaneders-faengsel-i-se-og-hoer-sagen 24 November 2016 Retten i Glostrup Retten i Glostrup - Domsresumé - Dom i SE & HØR-sagen Danish The Court in Glostrup - Verdict summary - Verdict in SE & HØR case domstol.dk http://www.domstol.dk/glostrup/nyheder/domsresumeer/Pages/DomiSEH%C3%98R-sagen.aspx 24 November 2016 9 August 2020 25 November 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161125175105/http://www.domstol.dk/glostrup/nyheder/domsresumeer/Pages/DomiSEH%C3%98R-sagen.aspx dead they appealed but the sentence was upheld at Østre Landsret on 8 August 2017. Michael Ørtz Christiansen Alexander Hecklen Østre Landsret afviser tys-tys-kildens krav om lavere straf Danish Østre Landsret deny hush-hush source's demand for lesser sentence DR https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/oestre-landsret-afviser-tys-tys-kildens-krav-om-lavere-straf 8 August 2017 Finally, Aller Media were ordered to pay a fine of DKK 10 million. Julie Fogde Kendisser kræver 6 millioner kroner i Se og Hør-sag Danish Famous demand DKK 6 million in Se og Hør case MediaWatch.dk da https://mediawatch.dk/secure/Medienyt/Ugeblade_magasiner/article10290440.ece 8 February 2018 In 2017, a lawyer representing 19 of the surveillance victims sued Aller Media for DKK 6 million. Wider context thumb|left|Edward Snowden commented on the Se og Hør-case. thumb|right|The Swedish programmer Gottfrid Svartholm. During the conclusion of the scandal, Svartholm was charged - as was the hush-hush source - with copying sensitive data from a Danish mainframe. The case concluded whilst Gottfrid Svartholm was under remand in Denmark, accused of cyber crimes against Danish authorities and companies; at the same time, foreign media continued to report on Edward Snowden's leaks about state surveillance. The scandal broke during a time where Aller Media were experiencing a fall in the readership of many of their magazines. Following the revelations, Se og Hørs print circulation fell by over 18,000 to below 100,000. Ritzau Nedgang for ugebladet Se og Hør på over 18.000 i oplag Danish Magazine Se og Hør's distribution plummets over 18,000 Information http://www.information.dk/telegram/508034 1 September 2014 The magazine's reader numbers (in print and online) also fell with 100,000 fewer readers in the 2nd and 3rd quarters of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. Louise Reseke Se og Hør taber 100.000 læsere Danish Se og Hør lose 100,000 readers Finans http://finans.dk/protected/finans/erhverv/ECE7254481/Se-og-H%C3%B8r-taber-100.000-l%C3%A6sere/ 2 December 2014 The scandal affected Aller's profits; the company reported a deficit of almost DKK 8 million for the financial year 2013/2014. Ritzau Se og Hør-sag kostede Aller millioner på bundlinjen Danish Se og Hør case costs Aller's bottom line millions Finans http://finans.dk/live/erhverv/ECE7380015/Se-og-H%C3%B8r-sag-kostede-Aller-millioner-p%C3%A5-bundlinjen/?ctxref=ext 22 January 2015 Journalists had in the past been found to be one of the least trusted professions in Denmark, and the scandal led to a further decrease in publicly perceived trustworthiness. Radius Kommunikation SE og HØR-sagen skader journalisters troværdighed Danish SE og HØR case damages journalists' trustworthiness Radius Kommunikation http://www.radiuskommunikation.dk/nyheder/se-og-hoer-sagen-skader-journalisters-trovaerdighed.aspx 23 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140910195257/http://www.radiuskommunikation.dk/nyheder/se-og-hoer-sagen-skader-journalisters-trovaerdighed.aspx 10 September 2014 Media debate The wider use of rewards for tip-offs by the tabloid press was debated. Culture minister Marianne Jelved described the rewards as unethical but conceded that they were not illegal and that she therefore did not wish to become involved in regulatory changes. Ritzau Jelved: Uetisk af Se og Hør at fortsætte tip-ordning Danish Jelved: Unethical of Se og Hør to continue with tip-off system TV 2 http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/samfund/2014-05-04-jelved-uetisk-af-se-og-h%C3%B8r-forts%C3%A6tte-tip-ordning 4 May 2014 Se og Hørs chief editor Nils Pinborg initially defended the rewards Marie Ravn Nielsen Gregers Lohse Se og Hør fortsætter stilen: Scor kassen for et tip Danish Se og Hør continue their style: Get rich quick for a tip-off DR http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Kultur/Medier/2014/05/01/114653.htm 1 May 2014 but later chose to suspend the system after Jelved's comments. Elisabeth Cecilie Munck Se og Hør dropper deres tip-honorar Danish Se og Hør drop their tip-off rewards DR http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Kultur/Medier/2014/05/07/150901.htm 7 May 2014 Ekstra Bladet had a similar system, which chief editor Poul Madsen chose to continue. However, Ekstra Bladets rewards of between DKK 500 and 1,000 were significantly lower than those at Se og Hør. In contrast, other Danish media including DR, Politiken and Fyns Amts Avis do not pay their sources. Politiken in particular does not consider source payment to be "a trustworthy and ethical way to work". Kerstin Bruun-Hansen Medier siger blankt nej til at betale kilder Danish Media say no full-stop to paid sources Journalisten http://journalisten.dk/medier-siger-blankt-nej-til-betale-kilder 30 April 2014 9 August 2020 2 September 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140902104115/http://journalisten.dk/medier-siger-blankt-nej-til-betale-kilder dead The independent press regulator decided not to initiate an investigation since they did not consider the revealed details explicit evidence that Se og Hør had used sensitive information. It did however encourage "the press to itself consider the question of paid sources and to decide whether there is a need to enshrine more specific advice in the guidelines about good press etiquette followed by the press itself". Pressemeddelelse: Pressenævnet behandler ikke af egen drift sagen om SE og HØR ... Danish Press release: Independent press regulator will not itself deal with SE og HØR case... Pressenævnet http://www.pressenaevnet.dk/Om-Pressen%C3%A6vnet/Nyheder.aspx?M=News&PID=79&NewsID=8036 https://web.archive.org/web/20150413020127/http://www.pressenaevnet.dk/Om-Pressen%C3%A6vnet/Nyheder.aspx?M=News&PID=79&NewsID=8036 dead 13 April 2015 11 June 2014 In a continuation of this announcement, the chief of the Danish Union of Journalists, Mogens Blicher Bjerregård, stated that he personally did not consider "paid sources to have a home in journalism". Ritzau Journalister støtter pressenævn: Afskaf betalte kilder Danish Journalists back up regulator: Remove paid sources Jyllands-Posten http://jyllands-posten.dk/indland/ECE7181117/Journalister-st%C3%B8tter-pressen%C3%A6vn-Afskaf-betalte-kilder/ 6 November 2014 Aller Media had not registered its editorial database and was not alone in this. Other unregistered Danish media included Metroxpress, Berlingske Nyhedsbureau, Nordjyske Stiftstidende, Søndagsavisen, Ingeniøren, Radio24syv, and several of the regional divisions of TV 2. These organisations were thus in possible conflict with data protection legislation. The head lawyer at the journalism trade association Danske Medier believed there could be a "potentially huge problem" if many people exercised their right to have their information deleted from the unregistered databases. As a result of the Se og Hør case, politicians suggested a tripling of both the fines in press-related legal cases and the prison sentences for libel. Bent Falbert, a former editor-in-chief at Ekstra Bladet, called this "an uncivilised measure" and suggested that the freedom of the press in Denmark was in danger. Bent Falbert Debat: Kvælertag på pressefriheden Danish Opinion: Choke hold on freedom of the press MediaWatch http://mediawatch.dk/Meninger/article6773572.ece 2 July 2014 IT security thumb|IT professional Poul-Henning Kamp commented on the case several times. Banks and providers of credit card payment services are usually expected to have very effective IT security. Nets, along with all other payment service providers, must be certified under the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and when the scandal broke had last been certified in 2013 by the British firm Foregenix. However, the security emphasis is on protection of card numbers as opposed to the transaction data leaked by the source. Furthermore, the standard does not deal with attacks by insiders with system access; employees must therefore be implicitly trusted by the service provider. Jesper Kildebogaard 'Strikse' PCI-krav reddede ikke datasikkerhed hos Nets Danish 'Strict' PCI requirements failed to save data security at Nets Version2 http://www.version2.dk/artikel/strikse-pci-krav-reddede-ikke-datasikkerhed-hos-nets-58350 13 May 2014 The Danish Financial Supervisory Authority, which is responsible for regulation of IT security at 407 financial organisations operating in Denmark, had performed very few inspections in the period leading up to the leaks; from 2008 to the breaking of the scandal in 2014, just 29 inspections of any firm had been carried out in total. Michael Lund Spinkelt tilsyn med bankernes it-sikkerhed Danish Sparse inspection of banks' IT security DR http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Penge/2014/07/07/07192924.htm 7 July 2014 Commenting on these numbers, Venstre's business spokesperson Kim Andersen said that he "thought this area appeared to be seriously underprioritised and that the responsible ministers should have egg on their faces". Nicolas Stig Nielsen Michael Lund V kritiserer spinkelt it-tilsyn: Sass-Larsen må have røde ører Danish V [Venstre] criticises sparse IT inspection: Sass-Larsen should have egg on their face DR http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Penge/2014/07/07/07214004.htm 7 July 2014 Lars Pram, the director at the consumer rights organisation Forbrugerrådet Tænk, considered the inspection record to be "quite simply not good enough". In a comment on the case, Poul-Henning Kamp wrote that "insiders are always the greatest threat" but also noted that "there are simply some people that must be trusted ... it isn't more complicated than that". Kamp suggested that such security workers should be given a sufficient salary and employment benefits with "freedom under responsibility and mutual trust and understanding". Additionally, he recommended peer review of any system work to spot irregularities. Poul-Henning Kamp IT-Sikkerhed: Ikke en "how-to" for lægmænd Danish IT security: Not a how-to for laypeople Version2 http://www.version2.dk/blog/it-sikkerhed-ikke-en-how-laegmaend-58174 1 May 2014 The Se og Hør case, together with Gottfrid Svartholm's charges, demonstrated that personal data could apparently be copied form domestic mainframes without Danish IT security professionals noticing; it was respectively journalists and the Swedish police that spotted the problem. Jesper Kildebogaard CSC-hackerangreb vokser: 10.000 tjenestemænds e-mail hacket Danish CSC hacker attack worsens: 10,000 officials' emails hacked Version2 http://www.version2.dk/artikel/csc-hackerangreb-vokser-10000-tjenestemaends-e-mail-hacket-52381 6 June 2013 Kamp specifically considered the use of IBM's mainframes by companies to be "deeply, deeply out of date" and that they should be "out of Danes' private lives". He commented on problems with IBM's mainframes, security model, software and general IT organisation: Poul-Henning Kamp IBM Mainframes er en sikkerhedsrisiko Danish IBM mainframes are a security risk Version2 http://www.version2.dk/blog/ibm-mainframes-er-en-sikkerhedsrisiko-58294 8 May 2014 It has reached the stage where it is impossible to configure and maintain an IBM mainframe without giving IBM's workers wide-ranging access, and therefore more and more firms struggling with mainframe-based IT are choosing to outsource maintenance to IBM in the first place. IT security expert Peter Kruse from CSIS Security Group did not consider the Se og Hør case to be an isolated one and wrote regarding IT outsourcing that his "general impression was that IT leaders at different levels, and not least IT security leaders in Denmark, have found it unusually difficult to get budgets allowing measures controlling whether contractors live up to companies' own security policies and expectations". Peter Kruse Se og Hør-sag langt fra enlig svale Danish Se og Hør case far from one-of-a-kind DenOffentlige.dk http://www.denoffentlige.dk/se-og-hoer-sag-langt-fra-enlig-svale 6 June 2014 9 June 2014 9 August 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20140609135535/http://www.denoffentlige.dk/se-og-hoer-sag-langt-fra-enlig-svale dead As an example, the Danish Data Protection Agency confirmed that in two cases they experienced councils not knowing where citizens' personal data was after outsourcing to private IT companies. Knud Emil Thovtrup Data-sikkerhed halter i kommuner Danish Data security limping at councils DR http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Regionale/Bornholm/2014/05/13/092458.htm 13 May 2014 Journalist Dorte Toft called for a more active role for the Data Protection Agency and hoped that a new EU directive on data protection would come into force. Dorte Toft Nets-skandalen: Radikal forandring af Datatilsynet, tak. Og flere penge Danish Nets scandal: Radical reform of the Data Protection Agency, thank you. And more money Berlingske http://bizzen.blogs.business.dk/2014/05/05/nets-skandalen-radikal-forandring-af-datatilsynet-tak-og-flere-penge/ 5 May 2014 9 August 2020 8 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140508164721/http://bizzen.blogs.business.dk/2014/05/05/nets-skandalen-radikal-forandring-af-datatilsynet-tak-og-flere-penge/ dead Surveillance debate The Danish activist Peter Kofod, writing on the Danish blogging platform DenFri in a post titled "En dybfølt tak til Se & Hør" (English: "A heartfelt thanks to Se & Hør"), commented that while Edward Snowden's NSA leaks provoked a subdued response amongst the Danish media, politicians, and "gossiping class", the Se og Hør case shifted media focus to surveillance and caused a number of influential people to recognise this surveillance as a problem. Peter Kofod En dybfølt tak til Se & Hør Danish A heartfelt thanks to Se & Hør DenFri https://www.denfri.dk/2014/04/en-dybfoelt-tak-til-se-hoer/ 29 April 2014 9 August 2020 18 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150918215318/https://www.denfri.dk/2014/04/en-dybfoelt-tak-til-se-hoer/ dead Kofod's opinion was reflected in an editorial by Informations editor-in-chief Christian Jensen, who called the contrast in reactions "surveillance hypocrisy". Christian Jensen Overvågningens hykleri Danish Surveilllance hypocrisy Information http://www.information.dk/495722 30 April 2014 Berlingske journalist Mads Kastrup wrote: Currently, the greatest irony is that for several years we have been those asking ourselves what kind of story would be needed to make the public and politicians take surveillance, massive control of citizens, and the risk of abuse of personal and private data seriously... and noted that the use of the hush-hush source by Se og Hør was exactly such a story. A week after the scandal broke, Edward Snowden wrote a piece for Berlingske that remarked "[t]he Se & Hør allegations are a reminder that until the Folketing takes action to get to the bottom of the mass surveillance problem, our rights are risk". Edward Snowden Big things are happening in Denmark Berlingske http://www.b.dk/nationalt/big-things-are-happening-in-denmark 4 May 2014 Altinget.dks editor-in-chief Rasmus Nielsen wrote that "the Nets scandal is unfortunately just another step in the weakening of the citizen compared to the state, search engines, data harvesting and so on". He gave another example of public workers' access to the CPR database. The revelations about the hush-hush source appeared the same weekend that Berlingske began a series of articles on surveillance under the title "Sporet" (English: "The trail"). As a way of encouraging debate about data registration and logging, the minister Sofie Carsten Nielsen and the Folketing member Jens Joel agreed to allow the newspaper to harvest their personal data. The paper managed to obtain 2,047 Dankort transactions, 18,047 emails, 313,303 telephonic data (including SMSs and phone logs), flight bookings, tax information, and private pictures. Berlingskes access, however, appears to have been far more wide-ranging than that used by the hush-hush source. The Folketing's foreman called the series "an interesting experiment" and hoped that it would pave the way for "a much-needed debate" about the Danes' data. Lars Nørgaard Pedersen Eva Jung Minister giver adgang til private data Danish Ministers give access to private data Berlingske http://www.b.dk/politiko/minister-giver-adgang-til-private-data 26 April 2014 However, discussion of "Sporet" was almost entirely swamped by the hush-hush source revelations. Another dimension to the Nets case appeared a few days before the hush-hush source revelations became public; in the US, a judge ordered Microsoft to surrender personal data from their European data centre to the American authorities. Joseph Ax U.S. judge rules search warrants extend to overseas email accounts Reuters http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-tech-warrants-idUSBREA3O24P20140425 25 April 2014 Microsoft appealed and the order was upheld late in July 2014 at a district court. Microsoft Ireland Case: Can a US Warrant Compel A US Provider to Disclose Data Stored Abroad? https://cdt.org/insight/microsoft-ireland-case-can-a-us-warrant-compel-a-us-provider-to-disclose-data-stored-abroad/ cdt.org 30 July 2014 Center for Democracy and Technology Danish legal professionals specialising in IT worried that this opened the possibility for American-owned firms operating in Denmark, such as KMD and CSC, to be forced to supply American authorities with Danes' personal data. This could, for example, be data from borger.dk (Danish state self-service portal) or the CPR database. Adam Fribo Eksperter: KMD og CSC kan blive nødt til at udlevere følsomme oplysninger om danskere til USA Danish Experts: KMD and CSC may be forced to surrender sensitive data about Danes to USA Version2 http://www.version2.dk/artikel/eksperter-kmd-og-csc-kan-blive-noedt-til-udlevere-foelsomme-oplysninger-om-danskere-til-usa 30 April 2014 Nets had, at around the same time, been sold to an American private equity firm, leading to rumours that Nets would also be subject to American law. In the Folketing there was little agreement on which jurisdiction Nets was subject to; the Social Democrats' business spokesperson Benny Engelbrecht maintained that Danish data security law applied indepdenpent of the owner while Enhedslisten's Frank Aaen took the Microsoft case to mean that "there is no doubt that if Nets has American owners, then Nets will automatically fall under American legislation". Natali Braagaard S-ordfører: Skandale eller ej – Nets-salg fortsætter Danish S [Social Democrats] spokesperson: Scandal or not - Nets sale proceeds TV 2 http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/2014-05-02-s-ordf%C3%B8rer-skandale-eller-ej-%E2%80%93-nets-salg-forts%C3%A6tter 2 May 2014 Similar cases The case had several similarities to the earlier and infamous News of the World phone hacking scandal, the latter of which was referred to by the politician Ellen Trane Nørby when commenting on the former. Uffe Jørgensen Morten Mærsk Karina Svensgaard Simon Andersen Venstre-profil rystet over Se og Hør: Ren 'News of the World' Danish Venstre personality shaken over Se og Hør: Just like 'News of the World' BT http://www.bt.dk/danmark/venstre-profil-rystet-over-se-og-hoer-ren-news-of-the-world 28 April 2014 Aller Media has previously experienced similar problems with the Norwegian version of Se og Hør. That scandal broke when the Norwegian Se og Hør-journalist Håvard Melnæs published (in Norway) the book En helt vanlig dag på jobben (English: Just a normal day at the office), in which he revealed that the magazine paid cash to sources at credit card companies and airlines. Henrik Jensen Simon Bendtsen Mette Dahlgaard Venstre kritiserer Aller-formand for uheldig dobbeltrolle Danish Venstre criticise Aller chief for unfortunate double whammy Berlingske http://www.b.dk/nationalt/venstre-kritiserer-aller-formand-for-uheldig-dobbeltrolle 5 May 2014 The existence of the sources was confirmed in a note by the editor-in-chief of the Norwegian Se og Hør Odd Johan Nelvik. Ritzau/NTB Politiet efterforsker notat fra norsk Se og Hør-skandale Danish Police investigate note from Norwegian Se og Hør scandal DR http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2014/07/21/0721034920.htm 21 July 2014 In April 2014, another case came to public attention; a well-known 33-year-old DJ from Copenhagen allegedly used a trojan to hack a wide range of celebrities' computers, gaining access to files and webcams. Copenhagen DJ In Mass Hacking Scandal VICE 25 April 2014 https://www.vice.com/en/article/copenhagens-hacker-dj-panic/ Investigations in the media found that 182 people had been hacked and that the offences had taken place from August 2012 to March 2014. As with the hush-hush source, the DJ was charged under the Danish Penal Code's paragraph 263 section 2. Jan Lauridtsen Hackede kendte: DJ mistænkt for at udspionere 182 danskere Danish Hacked celebrities: DJ suspected of spying on 182 Danes TV 2 http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/krimi/2014-07-21-hackede-kendte-dj-mist%C3%A6nkt-udspionere-182-danskere 21 June 2014 References Category:Scandals in Denmark