The messaging platform Telegram on Friday informed an Indian court docket 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 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 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 Court docket in search of intervention to direct Telegram to take away all bots linked to the info leak.
However a lawyer representing Telegram mentioned throughout Friday’s listening to that it might be in violation of Indian legal guidelines if it had been to police all chatbots on the platform to establish leaked information.
Telegram did, nevertheless, comply with 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 Well being shares have misplaced virtually 11% because the story was printed, and had been down simply over 1% on Friday.
Telegram has been underneath rising scrutiny all over the world since its founder Pavel Durov was positioned underneath 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 Court docket Choose Kumaresh Babu on Friday requested the insurer to share data 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 concerning the listening to.
Star Well being can also 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 to date turned up no proof of wrongdoing by him.
The manager has not commented on the allegations.
The case resumes in two weeks.
© Thomson Reuters 2024
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