Madras High Court dismisses Pathak's Star Health data plea

The Madras High Court has dismissed an appeal filed by cybersecurity specialist Himanshu Pathak seeking directions to multiple government ministries and regulators to investigate alleged data security lapses at Star Health Insurance Company. Pathak had claimed the company’s security system was vulnerable, allowing third parties to access the data of policyholders, and that data could be stolen. He also noted vulnerabilities in the company’s website when viewing his own policy details.

The petition contended that, although the company thanked him for raising the issue, it subsequently sued him for unauthorisedly accessing and collecting data. The court’s decision was reported, with further details available according to LiveLaw. The case relates to a cyber-attack on Star Health on 9 October 2024, which preceded Pathak’s plea for an inquiry.