Telegram Risks Ban in India After Chatbots Leak Insurer Data

Telegram Risks Ban in India following Insurance Data Breach

Telegram, one of the world’s most popular social networking apps, is now facing the risk of a ban in India after being linked to a massive data breach. Recently, hackers used the platform’s chatbots to leak sensitive customer data from Star Health and Allied Insurance, India’s largest health insurer. The breach has raised serious concerns about the security of personal data and has put additional scrutiny on Telegram, which has already been under legal pressure.

Star Health Data Leak Raises Alarms

According to a report from Reuters, Star Health, a company with a market cap of over $4 billion, was hit by a cyberattack that compromised the data of millions of its customers. The stolen information included highly sensitive details such as names, phone numbers, addresses, ID copies, tax information, and even medical records. The hackers used Telegram’s chatbots to make this information available for sale, offering samples to potential buyers. This has caused widespread alarm, as such breaches can lead to identity theft and other criminal activities.

Telegram ban: Is Durov arrest the reason behind

This incident comes at a time when Telegram’s CEO, Pavel Durov, has been dealing with legal challenges in France. Durov was recently arrested and placed under judicial supervision, further fueling concerns about Telegram’s role in enabling illicit activities. Although Durov has since been released, the legal scrutiny has intensified, with several countries, including India, looking to tighten regulations on the app.

Telegram Efforts to Comply with Global Norms

Following Durov’s legal troubles, Telegram updated its policies on illegal content, signaling an effort to align with global regulations. Despite this, many users and authorities remain concerned about the platform’s ability to prevent scams, data breaches, and other illegal activities. The recent Star Health breach has only added fuel to the fire, and Indian regulators are now considering a potential ban on Telegram to protect user data and privacy.

Also Read: Banana Gun Telegram Bot: Users Lose $1.9M in Crypto