BENGALURU: The Karnataka high court suspended video-conferencing and livestreaming services at its Bengaluru, Dharwad, and Friendship benches on Tuesday, citing unprecedented cybersecurity issues. Miscreants reportedly infiltrated the Zoom platform used by the court for video-conferencing, playing pornographic videos during live proceedings on Monday and attempting a repeat on Tuesday.
“We are not permitting video-conferencing and livestreaming facilities. Unfortunately, some mischief is being played. There may be some mischief players. Technology is being misused,” Chief Justice Prasanna Varale said.
Livestreaming of proceedings from some courts on YouTube – initiated on May 31, 2021, and governed by specific rules – has now been halted.
“This is unfortunate and unprecedented. Otherwise, Karnataka HC is always in favour of technology being used for better services for the public at large and the advocates,” the Chief Justice said. He urged advocates not to trouble the court’s computer section officials if access to video-conferencing facilities is denied.
A complaint was filed on Monday evening, leading to the registration of a case under the IT Act for the transmission of sexually explicit material.
The incident reflects a broader trend of cyberattacks targeting video conference calls, known as “Zoom-bombing”, which gained prominence during the Covid pandemic.
As the use of platforms like Zoom surged during lockdowns, hackers disrupted meetings by making threats or displaying pornographic content.
“We are not permitting video-conferencing and livestreaming facilities. Unfortunately, some mischief is being played. There may be some mischief players. Technology is being misused,” Chief Justice Prasanna Varale said.
Livestreaming of proceedings from some courts on YouTube – initiated on May 31, 2021, and governed by specific rules – has now been halted.
“This is unfortunate and unprecedented. Otherwise, Karnataka HC is always in favour of technology being used for better services for the public at large and the advocates,” the Chief Justice said. He urged advocates not to trouble the court’s computer section officials if access to video-conferencing facilities is denied.
A complaint was filed on Monday evening, leading to the registration of a case under the IT Act for the transmission of sexually explicit material.
The incident reflects a broader trend of cyberattacks targeting video conference calls, known as “Zoom-bombing”, which gained prominence during the Covid pandemic.
As the use of platforms like Zoom surged during lockdowns, hackers disrupted meetings by making threats or displaying pornographic content.