Leak of government employees' data: High Court lashes out at CM's Office

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has lashed out at the office of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the alleged leak of government employees' data. The Court asked how the Chief Minister's Office obtained information from the SPARK system. It also pointed out that there is an earlier order stating that personal data should not be used for purposes other than official needs. The court said that this amounts to an invasion of privacy.

The court made the strong remarks while considering a petition alleging misuse of personal details of government employees by the Chief Minister's Office. The petition stated that officials' WhatsApp numbers were collected for political purposes.

In recent days, a message explaining the government's welfare measures was sent from the Chief Minister’s Office to around five lakh employees in the state. The controversy arose after employees received the Chief Minister’s message on their WhatsApp numbers soon after an order granting a 10 percent DA was issued. Opposition service organisations alleged that the messages were sent in bulk to private phone numbers using data leaked from SPARK, the salary software, and that it violated employees’ privacy.

The message from the Chief Minister addressed employees by name. It said that the promises announced in the last budget are being implemented one by one and that the government will always stand with employees to protect their welfare and rights. The message also stated that this support and care will continue in the coming days.