Nasscom urges Channel 4 to cooperate on data leak charges
Tuesday, 03 October 2006, 19:30 IST
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New Delhi: India's IT software and services body has urged Britain's Channel 4 and Star News (India) to cooperate with authorities here and provide basis for allegations of data security lapses in BPO centres. "We are concerned about the verifiability of such stories, especially sting operations where monetary inducements were provided. These operations sometimes go beyond uncovering wrongdoing and actually induce criminal activity that is then recorded and aired," said Kiran Karnik, president of the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) in a statement Monday. "In this particular case, one of the alleged criminals has stated the data he offered for sale was fake. This, and the lack of prompt cooperation by the producer with enforcement agencies, makes difficult the task of bringing to book the criminals involved," said Karnik. On Thursday, Channel 4 is scheduled to broadcast a programme showcasing security lapses in Indian call centres. The programme is based on a year-long effort to locate security lapses in India's call centre industry. In a letter to Dispatches (Channel 4), Nasscom has sought immediate cooperation and "requested details of the allegations which Dispatches intends to make together with the evidence/support documentation that they have". Dispatches have refused to provide that information. Stressing the need for Star News and Channel 4's Dispatches to "to cooperate immediately, fully and wholeheartedly" with the Indian authorities, Nasscom has stated that this is very important "in the light of allegations that the programmes have made about finding corrupt staff associated with Indian call centres". "Whilst there are a lot of unanswered questions, we take any allegation of a breach in our security extremely seriously. It is vital that Dispatches cooperates immediately so the perpetrators of any breach can be brought to justice and that lessons can be learnt," said Nasscom president. "Nasscom will reach out to the Indian police authorities to investigate the claims made in the programme. The media can help by ensuring that there is no further delay in bringing evidence of their claims to the Indian Police," said Karnik. "We urge Star News to similarly cooperate and ensure that all information is provided to the police." Karnik has underlined that "security is a number one priority. India has established an excellent international reputation and under no circumstances will we allow this to be compromised".
Source: IANS
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