Hackers Steal Maternity Ward CCTV Footage in India Exposed

A disturbing case of cybercrime has surfaced in India, where hacked visuals from a CCTV camera from a maternity hospital were supposedly sold on Telegram, provoking concerns about privacy and digital security. Gujarat police launched an investigation earlier this year after several media identified a number of videos on YouTube that showed pregnant women receiving medical examinations, including procedures that were quite sensitive. The videos, sourced back to the maternity hospital, contained links that directed viewers to a Telegram channel where longer versions could be purchased.

The hospital director told the BBC that CCTV cameras had been installed solely to ensure the safety of the doctors, but that this incident had sparked considerable concern. In line with this, police say that while none of the women have lodged complaints, an investigation carried out by police had uncovered a racket that involved sensitive footage obtained from over 50,000 CCTV cameras across India. As CCTV equipment is increasingly commonplace in malls, homes, schools, hospitals, corporate offices, and apartment complexes, experts are warning that poorly secured CCTV systems are increasingly being used as a road to hack.

Ahmedabad cybercrime head Lavina Sinha said they were also investigating a network of individuals who were hacking CCTV systems in several states. They hacked cameras in hospitals, schools, and offices—and also in the bedrooms of private citizens. Gujarat’s cybercrime head, Hardik Makadiya stated that in relation to the seized footage,

This case reveals how daily surveillance systems in India are becoming increasingly susceptible to abuse. Cybersecurity experts argue that a significant number of CCTVs, especially cheap models, are incredibly vulnerable to abuse because they were poorly configured and the default passwords were not removed. This concern has been confirmed by events in the past: in 2018, a webcam of a tech worker in Bengaluru was hacked for extortion, and in 2023, a YouTuber found out that his home CCTV had been hacked when private clips were leaked online.

The accused are charged by the Gujarat Police under multiple sections, including the offenses of invasion of a woman’s privacy, obscene publication, voyeurism, and cyber terrorism, which is a non-bailable offense. Eight suspects have been arrested so far, mostly from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Delhi, and Uttarakhand, and are held in judicial custody as the investigation continues. The authorities have contacted YouTube and Telegram to take down the leaked videos.

Cybercrime investigator Ritesh Bhatia warns that wireless CCTV systems, though convenient, can be easily breached once connected to the internet. Hackers simply need to decode an IP address and exploit default passwords to access, record, or even disable the system. He advises users to strengthen security by changing default settings, using long and complex passwords, and conducting regular cybersecurity audits. Bhatia adds that manufacturers must also take responsibility by clearly warning customers to update passwords—similar to mandatory health warnings on cigarette packets.

This case underscores an urgent reality: in a country rapidly adopting digital surveillance, privacy protections and cybersecurity awareness remain dangerously inadequate.