Oslo - The Norwegian tax authority was red-faced Wednesday amid reports it had sent sensitive information about millions of Norwegian taxpayers to several news media outlets.

The tax authority mistakenly included personal identity numbers - which are confidential - on lists of taxpayers it distributed to the media, public broadcaster NRK reported.

Almost 4 million taxpayers were included on the lists, NRK reported and the tax authority has since Tuesday tried to contain the damage.

The error was disclosed by NRK's current affairs programme Brennpunkt.

The personal identity number includes a person's date of birth and five extra digits, making it possible for authorities to pinpoint an individual. Is is also used by banks, insurance companies and hospitals.

The information could also potentially be used for identity theft.

Finance Minister Kristin Halvorsen has summoned the head of the tax authority for a meeting while a spokesman for the Data Inspectorate agency described the event as "a scandal."

Opposition politicians including Erna Solberg, leader of the conservatives, called for a thorough probe.

A tax authority spokeswoman said some eight news media outlets received the CDs, and have been asked to return them. (dpa)