Telegram Says It Cannot Police All Chatbots in Star Health India Knowledge Leak

The messaging platform Telegram on Friday informed an Indian court docket it can not monitor all of the accounts it hosts to search for leaked buyer knowledge from India’s Star Health, and can solely block problematic content material that’s flagged to it.

India’s greatest well being insurer has been battling a reputational and enterprise disaster since Reuters reported on Sept. 20 {that a} hacker had used Telegram chatbots and a web site to leak delicate buyer knowledge together with biometric identification playing cards and medical declare papers.

Last month, Star Health approached the Madras High Court searching for intervention to direct Telegram to take away all bots linked to the info leak.

But a lawyer representing Telegram mentioned throughout Friday’s listening to that it could be in violation of Indian legal guidelines if it had been to police all chatbots on the platform to establish leaked knowledge.

Telegram did, nevertheless, conform to delete the info if it obtained assist from the insurer, which has obtained a ransom demand of $68,000 from a hacker to cease the leaks.

Star Health shares have misplaced virtually 11% because the story was revealed, and had been down simply over 1% on Friday.

Telegram has been beneath rising scrutiny around the globe since its founder Pavel Durov was positioned beneath formal investigation in France on Aug. 28 in reference to alleged use of the app for unlawful actions.

Durov and Telegram have denied any wrongdoing and mentioned they’re tackling the criticism.

Madras High Court Judge Kumaresh Babu on Friday requested the insurer to share info on problematic chatbots with Telegram, and directed the social media app to dam these instantly.

Telegram and Star Health didn’t reply to requests for remark concerning the listening to.

Star Health can also be investigating allegations that its chief safety officer was concerned within the knowledge leak, and has mentioned he’s cooperating within the probe, which has to this point turned up no proof of wrongdoing by him.

The government has not commented on the allegations.

The case resumes in two weeks.

© Thomson Reuters 2024

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