Sensitive data from Star Health, India’s largest insurer, leaked via Telegram bots, affecting 31 million users. Security concerns rise.

Telegram risks a ban in India as its use in illicit activities continues to surge. India's biggest health insurer impacted with data leak

By Christopher Bing and Munsif Vengattil WASHINGTON/BENGALURU (Reuters) - Stolen customer data including medical reports from India's biggest health insurer, Star Health, is publicly accessible via chatbots on Telegram,

The news agency quoted UK-based security researcher Jason Parker, who noted that the Star Health chatbots feature a welcome message stating they are “by xenZen” and have been operational since at least August 6.

The data is available for free in small portions, while bulk data — amounting to 7.24 terabytes — is being offered for sale, according to a hacker using the alias “xenZen.”

In a concerning development, stolen customer data including medical reports from India's biggest health insurer, Star Health Insurance, is publicly accessible via chatbots on Telegram.  According to a report by Reuters,

Stolen customer data including medical reports from India’s biggest health insurer, Star Health, is publicly accessible via chatbots on Telegram, just weeks after Telegram’s founder was accused of allowing the messenger app to facilitate crime.

Telegram chatbots have allowed unauthorized access to Star Health customer data including test results and medical diagnoses.

Sensitive customer data from Star Health Insurance was accessed via chatbots on Telegram, with claims of over 31 million records for sale. The company insists no widespread data breach occurred and is cooperating with authorities.