Oleg Gorokhovsky, co-founder of Monobank, sparked a heated debate after sharing a photo of a bank customer during a video verification process on social media. The image, posted on March 9, 2026, allegedly featured a Russian flag in the background, prompting the customer to defend herself the following day.
In his post, Gorokhovsky claimed the customer contacted the bank regarding her account being blocked, stating,
“A client reached out during video verification asking why her account was frozen. They said it was because her head was unwashed,”
along with the photo.
The next day, the customer responded on social media, asserting that the flag in question was actually the Slovenian flag. She clarified that she was not at home during the call and did not notice the wall decoration.
“I want to clarify: this is the Slovenian flag. This person, without understanding the situation, decided to expose me publicly. I do not support the aggressor country. My entire family is fighting. I was born in Ukraine and love it,”
she stated.
In response to concerns about privacy violations, Gorokhovsky remarked that individuals he labels as supporters of the “Russian world” should not expect personal data protection in Ukraine. He further asserted that after 12 years of conflict, the state and society cannot guarantee data security for those he considers collaborators.
“If you love Russia, stay away from us. P.S. In her photo, there’s a ‘flag of Russia’,”
he added.
As of now, Monobank has not publicly addressed the incident or commented on the potential misuse of the customer’s image without her consent. According to Monobank’s website, video verification is a procedure for confirming a client’s identity through a conversation with a bank operator via video call, where only the client and operator should be present.
Legal expert Stanislav Liflyanchik, speaking on “Suspilne Studio,” noted that sharing a photo without the individual’s consent constitutes a violation of Ukraine’s Civil Code.
“No bank employee has the right to obtain client data for personal use,”
he emphasized, suggesting that the customer could pursue legal action for damages to her reputation.
Suspilne has reached out to Monobank for comments regarding the unauthorized publication of the client’s photo and the implications for personal data protection. The National Bank of Ukraine has also demanded explanations from Monobank regarding Gorokhovsky’s post, indicating that they have sent a request for clarification about the dissemination of information potentially violating banking confidentiality.
UPDATE 22:40
On the evening of March 11, Gorokhovsky issued an apology for sharing the customer’s photo, attributing his actions to an emotional response to the Russian tricolor. In a Telegram post, he expressed that years of conflict had fueled his anger towards the flag, leading to a hasty reaction. He reassured clients that their personal data remains secure, stating,
“I want to assure all clients that their personal data is safe and will always be a priority. We are one of the most targeted Ukrainian banks by Russian cyber forces, and there has never been a data leak during the war,”
he affirmed. Gorokhovsky concluded by acknowledging the need for better judgment in similar situations.
The incident involving Monobank's co-founder sharing a customer's photo has raised significant concerns over privacy and data protection. The customer defended herself against accusations of supporting Russia, asserting the flag in her background was Slovenian, while Gorokhovsky faced backlash for his comments and actions.