[Hacking Incident] Calcutta HC YouTube Channel Live-Streaming Session Interrupted by Obscene Content

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Yesterday, On 28th October, During a live-streamed session of a single-judge vacation bench at the Calcutta High Court on Monday afternoon, an obscene video unexpectedly appeared, causing considerable embarrassment. The incident took place on the court’s official YouTube stream, briefly disrupting the proceedings. This unexpected interruption raised concerns about the security of virtual courtrooms and highlighted the risks of open-access online platforms.

Calcutta: On Monday afternoon, a live-streaming session of a single-judge vacation bench of the Calcutta High Court experienced an embarrassing moment when an explicit video unexpectedly appeared during the broadcast on YouTube.

The live-stream abruptly stopped, but the inappropriate content remained visible for a significant amount of time, surprising many participants and viewers alike. Sources from the Calcutta High Court indicated that the cause of this incident is still unclear, but the authorities are treating it with utmost seriousness. They have already reached out to the agency responsible for the live-streaming of court proceedings and have filed a formal complaint at the Hara Street Police Station, which has jurisdiction over the high court.

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This incident occurred during the session presided over by Justice Subhendu Samanta. Originally scheduled for Friday, the proceedings were postponed to Monday due to the impact of Cyclone Dana, which caused adverse weather in Kolkata.

In a related context, last month, the Supreme Court temporarily disabled its YouTube channel after it was hacked and began broadcasting videos promoting a cryptocurrency from a US-based company. The channel was renamed “Ripple,” and a video titled “Brad Garlinghouse: Ripple Responds To The Fine! XRP PRICE PREDICTION” streamed on the compromised platform. Additionally, previous hearings that had been live-streamed made private by the hackers.

Challenges in Cybersecurity for Judicial Platforms

The Calcutta High Court’s experience is a reminder of the potential security risks associated with online judicial platforms. Cyberattacks can disrupt not only the functioning of these platforms but also threaten the integrity of judicial proceedings. While there are security measures in place, cybercriminals have become increasingly sophisticated, employing advanced techniques that can bypass conventional cybersecurity systems.

Indian courts likely to increase efforts to strengthen their cybersecurity defenses in response to these incidents. Experts suggest measures such as multi-factor authentication, real-time monitoring, and advanced encryption to protect online streaming platforms. Collaboration with cybersecurity firms and government agencies may also prove beneficial for courts seeking to secure their platforms against future attacks.

Read Also: Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court Warns State Government

The recent hacking of the Calcutta High Court’s YouTube channel highlights a growing concern for the Indian judiciary’s cybersecurity, particularly as more judicial proceedings move online. The incident has prompted both an external police investigation and an internal review by the court’s IT cell, with steps being taken to prevent a recurrence.

Moving forward, it is crucial for judicial institutions to adopt robust cybersecurity practices to ensure the integrity of digital platforms, balancing transparency with security to maintain public trust in the judicial system.

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