Personal data of about 3 cr Star Health customers up for sale online
hacker alleges top official for breach
New Delhi, Oct 9: Personal data like mobile numbers, PAN, addresses and pre-existing medical conditions of about 3.1 crore customers of Star Health Insurance is allegedly available on a website created by a hacker identified as xenZen.
The hacker claimed that Star Health's Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) sold all the data and later tried to change the terms of their deal.
According to the details shared by the UK-based researcher Jason Parker on September 20, a hacker by the name of xenZen has published a website with sample data of Star Health Insurance Company and an email communication with a top official responsible for handling and managing the digital network of the company.
"I am leaking all Star Health India customers and insurance claims sensitive data. This leak is sponsored by Star Health and Allied Insurance Company, who sold this data to me directly," xenZen claimed.
Clarifying on the matter Star Health Insurance in a statement said, a thorough and rigorous forensic investigation, led by independent cybersecurity experts is underway, and the company is working closely with government and regulatory authorities at every stage of this investigation.
"We also timely approached the Madras High Court which in the attached order has directed all including certain third parties to disable access to the relevant information. We are diligently pursuing the implementation of this order," it said.
The company categorically mentioned that the CISO has been duly co-operating in the investigation and has not arrived at any finding of wrongdoing by him till date.
"We also want to emphasize that any unauthorised acquisition, possession, or dissemination of customer data is illegal. We urge all platforms, hosting companies, social media channels and users to take swift and decisive action to halt such activities and comply with the orders of the High Court," it said.
Meanwhile, Madras High Court has observed that protection is vital to prevent the continuous leakage of such sensitive data and referred the matter for further hearing on October 25.
The hacker has created Telegram bots to access data of 31,216,953 customers updated till July 2024 and 5,758,425 claims of the company available till early August.
The email conversation video showed the email ID of the senior company official. The conversation video shows email chat as well as a chat on an instant messaging forum between xenZen and the company official for the deal.
The deal was initially finalised for USD 28,000 but later the official demanded USD 150,000 on the pretext that he has to pay a share to senior-level management for continuation of the data leak, the hecker alleged.
Any leak of personal details of people makes them vulnerable to online scams.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
