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Rhode Island Faces Data Breach as Hackers Demand Ransom

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Rhode Island has been struck by a significant data breach, potentially compromising the personal and financial information of hundreds of thousands of residents. The breach, attributed to an international cybercriminal group, involves stolen sensitive data, including Social Security numbers, and has led to extortion demands. The hackers have threatened to release the information unless a ransom is paid, state officials reported on Saturday.

Governor Dan McKee confirmed that the breach affects individuals enrolled in the state’s government assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and healthcare services provided through HealthSource RI. The attack targeted the state’s RIBridges portal, an online platform for accessing social services, which was breached earlier this month.

Although the breach was initially detected, it was only confirmed on Friday after the state’s vendor, Deloitte, validated the hacking incident. The governor’s office stated that Deloitte had confirmed a high probability that a cybercriminal had accessed files containing personally identifiable information.

The breach may affect anyone who has applied for or received assistance through these programs since 2016. In response to the threat, RIBridges has been temporarily shut down, and those applying for new benefits will be required to use paper applications until the system is secured and restored.

Households believed to be affected by the breach will receive official notification from the state, along with guidance on how to protect their personal and financial data.

 

Telegram Responds to Star Health India Data Leak, Says It Can’t Monitor All Chatbots

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Messaging platform Telegram informed an Indian court that it cannot monitor all accounts on its platform for potential leaks, including those related to the Star Health India data breach. The platform acknowledged the situation but emphasized that its responsibility was limited to blocking content that is flagged to it, citing the difficulties of overseeing the vast number of accounts and bots hosted on the platform.

The data leak, first reported by Reuters on September 20, involved a hacker using Telegram’s chatbots and external websites to disseminate highly sensitive customer information, including biometric identification cards and medical claim documents. This breach has significantly impacted Star Health, India’s largest health insurer, sparking concerns about the security of personal health data and the role of platforms like Telegram in mitigating such risks.

In response to the incident, Star Health approached the Madras High Court last month, seeking a directive to Telegram to remove all bots associated with the data leak. The insurer argues that Telegram’s failure to adequately monitor and block these malicious bots contributed to the leak of confidential information, which has harmed the reputation and trust that customers place in the company’s services.

While Telegram has reiterated its commitment to user privacy and safety, the company highlighted the practical challenges of enforcing comprehensive oversight over every account and bot on its platform. With millions of users and a wide range of automated bots in operation, Telegram suggests that a more collaborative approach involving regulatory bodies and businesses is needed to prevent future incidents and protect user data more effectively.