Teacher under investigation after topless photo accidentally shared on Snapchat, legal experts weigh in on potential criminal charges
A teacher at an upper secondary school in Kemiönsaari, Southwest Finland, is under investigation after allegedly posting a topless photo of themselves on their Snapchat story, which was visible to students. The incident has sparked debate on social media and prompted an internal review by the municipality, while legal experts suggest the unauthorized further distribution of the image may constitute a criminal offense under Finland’s new sexual offense legislation.
Iltalehti reports that the teacher, a woman working with upper secondary and high school students, shared the image in a manner accessible to pupils. However, Yle reports that the photo was posted on the teacher’s Snapchat story, not intentionally sent to a group, and was later shared further via a screenshot. The teacher told Svenska Yle that she had intended to send a "sweet photo" to her husband but accidentally posted it publicly. She reiterated to Yle that the image was meant exclusively for her husband, describing it as a "cute picture" (Yle). At least two upper secondary school students saw the image before it was removed, along with five other viewers (Yle). According to the teacher, seven people in total saw the photo before it was deleted, none of whom were lower secondary school students (Iltalehti).
A screenshot of the photo, which shows the teacher’s face and upper body, was obtained by Iltalehti. The teacher declined to comment when contacted by Iltalehti, directing the reporter to speak with her supervisor instead. In an anonymous interview with Svenska Yle, the teacher expressed shock over the incident, stating she has struggled with anxiety and insomnia since the photo spread. She described losing a significant amount of weight due to the distress and said the online hatred has been "incomprehensible" (Iltalehti). The teacher told Yle she has experienced "indescribable anxiety" and remains shocked by the intensity of the backlash (Yle). She is considering legal action against adults who further disseminated the image or spread false claims but has hesitated due to concerns about causing difficulties for the students involved (Iltalehti). The teacher has now confirmed to Yle that she is actively weighing legal steps against adults who shared the photo, citing potential violations of the new sexual offense legislation (Yle).
Legal experts have weighed in on the case, with criminal law professor Kimmo Nuotio from the University of Helsinki stating that the unauthorized distribution of the photo may meet the criteria of a criminal offense under Finland’s 2023 sexual offense law. The offense, which protects sexual self-determination, can result in fines or imprisonment for up to two years and is classified as a complainant offense (Yle). Nuotio noted that while the teacher initially posted the image herself, the further distribution could still be unlawful, as she intended to prohibit its sharing. He added that merely displaying the photo—such as showing it to someone on a phone screen—could also constitute a crime under the law (Yle).
The municipality’s director of education and municipal manager confirmed to Iltalehti via text message that the matter is being investigated. Both officials stated that students and guardians had reached out to the municipality regarding the incident. The municipality of Kemiönsaari published a statement on its website on Monday, clarifying that the photo was not intentionally sent to pupils (Yle). The director of education, Marjaana Hoikkala, told Yle that the photo "ended up accidentally on the teacher’s story, not in a group, and it was not sent intentionally to pupils or students." She has discussed the matter with the teacher, pupils, and guardians as part of the investigation (Yle). The teacher had previously added students as friends on Snapchat to provide low-threshold support but has since removed them from her contacts (Yle). The municipality also stated that students who wish to can speak with a school counselor or school coach, while guardians may contact the principal (Iltalehti).
No further details on the investigation’s progress or potential disciplinary measures have been disclosed.
Social media reactions and previous controversies
The case has generated mixed reactions online. Some social media users argue that the teacher may have accidentally posted the photo in the wrong group, while others view the incident as a serious breach, given that minors were exposed to the image. The teacher told Svenska Yle she is shocked by the "storm of hate" spreading online, describing the judgmental response as "incomprehensible."
The controversy follows a similar case in October, when a teacher at Naantali lower secondary school resigned after it was revealed they produced adult content for platforms such as OnlyFans and Pornhub (Ilta-Sanomat). The current investigation remains ongoing.
12 May, 15:03: Updated to include legal analysis on potential criminal charges under Finland’s sexual offense legislation.
