Data breach is a threat to customer’s privacy: Airtel

New Delhi, July 10: Telecom operator Bharti Airtel on Monday termed data breach as a “real threat” to businesses and said that the company takes its responsibility on data security and customer privacy “very seriously”.

The comments come in the wake of reports on Sunday that claimed that customer data, including mobile numbers and other details of Reliance Jio users, were allegedly leaked on an independent website named magicapk.

But newcomer Jio has said the claims of the website are “unverified” and “unsubstantiated” and that it is investigating the matter. Jio has also said that its subscriber data is safe and maintained with the highest security.

Asked if the recent episode would prompt Airtel to strengthen its data security and systems, its MD and CEO (India and South Asia) Gopal Vittal said that data breach was a “real threat” globally, not only for telecom firms but for banks and credit card firms too.

“This is a real threat that we face. We do our bit...we try and do what we can to protect and make sure that our systems are secure...the thing that we value most is customer privacy, we really take that very seriously,” Vittal said.

Last evening, Reliance Jio said it is investigating claims of the alleged data breach. “Prima facie, the data appears to be unauthentic. We want to assure our subscribers that their data is safe and maintained with highest security. Data is only shared with authorities as per their requirement,” a Jio spokesperson said.

Jio further said it has “informed law enforcement agencies about the claims of the website and will follow through to ensure strict action is taken”. Incidentally, the website Magicapk.com is displaying a message “account suspended” since late Sunday night.

In an unrelated announcement, Airtel on Monday said that it will invest `2,000 crore over three years on a programme called “Project Next” to improve customer experience, as it pushes back against Jio that has disrupted the market.

Bharti Airtel will redesign its 2,500 retail stores and revamp its mobile application. It also announced a series of incentives for its postpaid customers.

This is a real threat that we face. We do our bit...we try and do what we can to protect and make sure that our systems are secure...the thing that we value most is customer privacy, we really take that very seriously

— GOPAL VITTAL MD and CEO (India & South Asia), Bharti Airtel