Thiruvananthapuram: A significant cyber‑security incident has shaken Kerala’s film exhibition industry after footage from government‑run theatres was found on pornographic sites and encrypted social media. The leaked clips, said to come from the Kairali, Sree, and Nila theatres, show regular patrons in their seats, with images that were never meant for public view—prompting a high‑level investigation.
The material appears to have first appeared on paid adult sites before leaking into Telegram, X and other channels. It prominently features the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) logo on the seats, making the source unmistakable. This breach has triggered serious concerns about data‑security practices in public bodies, especially those managing surveillance equipment.
KSFDC has opened an internal inquiry to discover how the footage left its systems. “We have initiated a detailed internal investigation. A formal complaint will be filed upon its completion,” the Managing Director assured, stressing the seriousness of the situation. Meanwhile, the Cyber Cell has begun its own probe based on early reports. Police suspect either an insider breach—staff with CCTV access—or an external hack that infiltrated the network. Both scenarios are under scrutiny, as officials note the sensitive nature of the leak escalates the urgency.
Investigators are alarmed that unsuspecting cinema-goers have had their likenesses shared on adult platforms without permission—a development they describe as “deeply disturbing” and a severe privacy breach. The widespread distribution of the footage has also highlighted potential weaknesses in the security architecture of state‑owned cultural venues. Experts caution that without regular audits and robust safeguards, similar incidents could repeat in other public spaces.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are trying to trace the original uploaders and determine how long the footage has circulated online. The state government plans to review all KSFDC‑managed theatres’ surveillance protocols to prevent further vulnerabilities.
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