Madras High Court orders Star Health to aid Telegram in data leak probe

The Madras High Court has instructed Star Health, India’s largest health insurance provider with a market capitalisation of approximately $4 billion, to assist Telegram in identifying leaked data from its messaging platform. This directive aims to facilitate the removal of chatbots involved in disseminating sensitive customer information.

The court’s order comes after Star Health approached the judiciary following a report by Reuters on September 20, which revealed that a hacker had leaked confidential customer data—including medical claim documents and tax information—through Telegram chatbots.

During the recent court proceedings, Justice K Kumaresh Babu stressed the need for Star Health to provide specific information regarding the chatbots responsible for the data breach. The insurer requested the court's intervention to compel Telegram to take swift action in removing these chatbots.

Telegram’s counsel, Thriyambak Kannan, acknowledged in court that the messaging service requires assistaence from Star Health to locate the compromised chatbots, as it cannot independently search for the leaks. The platform has previously stated that it promptly removed chatbots once they were flagged by Reuters.

In addition to the data leak, Star Health is currently grappling with a ransom demand of $68,000 and is investigating allegations surrounding its chief security officer’s potential involvement in the incident. However, the insurer reported earlier this month that it has found no evidence of wrongdoing by the officer, who has not commented on the matter.

Star Health’s attorney stressed the confidential nature of the leaked personal information during the proceedings. The case is scheduled to resume in two weeks.

(With Reuters inputs.)