The Case of Karina Kolb
A monobank client, Karina Kolb, was hospitalized due to severe stress after the bank's co-founder, Oleg Gorokhovsky, publicly shared a screenshot from her video identification call. The image showed Kolb seated in front of a Slovenian flag, with its coat of arms obscured by her body. The unauthorized disclosure triggered a panic attack that led to her admission to the hospital. This incident highlights the severe personal consequences that can arise from mishandling sensitive customer data.
'I don't know if I will file a lawsuit. After this, I started having health problems. I was extremely nervous, I had a panic attack, and I ended up in the hospital. I feel terrible and have been told I must avoid stress.'
— Karina Kolb
Following the video verification, monobank also blocked Karina Kolb's account. Despite this, she has decided not to sue the bank over the photo disclosure. Kolb's family has deep ties to Ukraine's defense: her biological father serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and is currently in the rear after being wounded. Her stepfather, who adopted Karina and her brother, has been defending Ukraine since 2014, has sustained multiple injuries, and is currently serving in the Kharkiv region.
Family Background and Displacement
Before the full-scale invasion, Karina Kolb lived in the Chuhuiv district of Kharkiv region. In 2023, she relocated from Kharkiv to Slovenia as a refugee and later moved to Germany. Her stepfather fought on the Donetsk and Kharkiv fronts, while his family evacuated to Germany, leaving him to defend the country. Kolb has younger brothers who now attend a local school in their new country.
Oleg Gorokhovsky has since apologized for his actions. A criminal case for disclosing bank secrecy has been opened against him, a fact confirmed by Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets. Tetyana Bilyk, a former primary school teacher and history tutor for Kolb, was aware of her activities, which included searching for missing Ukrainian soldiers and animal welfare advocacy.
This case underscores the critical importance of financial institutions safeguarding client confidentiality, especially during wartime and for individuals in vulnerable situations. Gorokhovsky's apology and the ensuing criminal proceedings reflect the gravity of the breach and its potential impact on monobank's reputation. It also draws attention to the psychological toll on those enduring stress, particularly within the context of war and complex family circumstances.