The messaging platform Telegram on Friday advised an Indian courtroom it can’t monitor all of the accounts it hosts to search for leaked buyer information 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 an internet site to leak delicate buyer information together with biometric identification playing cards and medical declare papers.
Final month, Star Well being approached the Madras Excessive Courtroom searching for intervention to direct Telegram to take away all bots linked to the information leak.
However a lawyer representing Telegram mentioned throughout Friday’s listening to that it could be in violation of Indian legal guidelines if it have been to police all chatbots on the platform to establish leaked information.
Telegram did, nonetheless, comply with delete the information if it acquired assist from the insurer, which has acquired a ransom demand of $68,000 from a hacker to cease the leaks.
Star Well being shares have misplaced virtually 11% because the story was printed, and have been down simply over 1% on Friday.
Telegram has been beneath rising scrutiny world wide 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 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 be investigating allegations that its chief safety officer was concerned within the information leak, and has mentioned he’s cooperating within the probe, which has up to now 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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