A disturbing case of hacking CCTV systems in India has exposed a widespread cybercrime racket through which intimate videos from a maternity ward were stolen and sold online. Police in Gujarat state say the discovery has raised concern for surveillance practices in a country where cameras are routinely placed across public and private spaces.
The case came to light earlier this year when Gujarati media outlets detected several videos on YouTube. These clips, taken inside a maternity hospital, showed pregnant women undergoing medical examinations and receiving injections in their buttocks.
Each video carried a link directing viewers to Telegram channels where longer versions of the footage could be purchased. To protect the privacy of those filmed, the city and the maternity hospital’s name have not been disclosed.
From a Single Hospital Breach to a Nationwide Cybercrime Operation
The hospital director told the BBC that the cameras had been installed “for the safety of doctors” and to guard against false allegations. None of the women seen in the videos has filed police complaints.
Once alerted, investigators uncovered what they described as a massive nationwide cybercrime racket. Police say hackers had infiltrated at least 50,000 CCTV systems throughout India and were selling footage taken from hospitals, schools, residential complexes, offices, malls, and even private homes.
Many of the stolen clips were marketed for prices ranging from 800 to 2,000 rupees, while some Telegram operators reportedly offered live feeds through subscription-based access. According to officers, the case demonstrates how a single CCTV hack can compromise thousands of devices due to weak digital protection.
Arrests, Charges, and the Spread of the Network
Arrests connected to the network have been made since February, spanning Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Delhi, and Uttarakhand. The suspects face charges under laws addressing privacy violations, cyberterrorism, voyeurism, and the publication of obscene material. Police noted that no patient or hospital lodged an official complaint, largely due to fear of exposure and social stigma. Instead, a police officer formally initiated the case to prevent the matter from being dropped.
The breach reflects the widespread vulnerabilities built into India’s surveillance ecosystem. Many CCTV units operate with default passwords such as “Admin123,” practice investigators say aided the hackers. Officers reported that the group used brute-force tools to access networks, enabling them to capture feed from thousands of locations. Specialists advise users to periodically change IP addresses and passwords, conduct routine audits of their systems, and adopt stronger security measures for both home and professional networks.
Growing Concerns About Surveillance and Privacy
The proliferation of CCTV across India, from hospital wards to private apartments, has created a fertile ground for hacking CCTV incidents, exposing sensitive footage, and disproportionately affecting women, who often hesitate to report breaches due to stigma. Despite government efforts to tighten digital security, gaps remain, and this latest breach highlights how quickly insecure systems can be exploited and sensitive data spread online.
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