The messaging platform Telegram on Friday informed an Indian courtroom it can not monitor all of the accounts it hosts to search for leaked buyer knowledge from India’s Star Well being, and can solely block problematic content material that’s flagged to it.
India’s largest 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.
Final month, Star Well being approached the Madras Excessive Courtroom in search of intervention to direct Telegram to take away all bots linked to the information leak.
However a lawyer representing Telegram stated throughout Friday’s listening to that it might be in violation of Indian legal guidelines if it have been to police all chatbots on the platform to determine leaked knowledge.
Telegram did, nonetheless, conform to delete the information if it obtained assist from the insurer, which has obtained a ransom demand of $68,000 from a hacker to cease the leaks.
Star Well being shares have misplaced virtually 11% for the reason that story was revealed, and have been down simply over 1% on Friday.
Telegram has been beneath rising scrutiny all over the world 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 stated they’re tackling the criticism.
Madras Excessive Courtroom Decide 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 Well being didn’t reply to requests for remark in regards to the listening to.
Star Well being can also be investigating allegations that its chief safety officer was concerned within the knowledge leak, and has stated he’s cooperating within the probe, which has thus far turned up no proof of wrongdoing by him.
The chief has not commented on the allegations.
The case resumes in two weeks.
© Thomson Reuters 2024
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