Cybersecurity breaches have reached alarming levels in India, highlighted by a shocking incident at Payal Maternity Hospital in Rajkot. Hackers exploited a default password, "admin123," to infiltrate the hospital's CCTV system, leading to the theft of sensitive footage of women undergoing examinations in the gynaecology ward. This footage was subsequently distributed through an international porn fetish network for profit.

The breach lasted nearly a year, from January to early December 2024, during which the hackers managed to steal around 50,000 clips from various locations across the country. The scandal came to light when teaser clips appeared on YouTube channels, prompting investigations that revealed the extent of the compromise. Authorities discovered that approximately 80 CCTV systems were hacked nationwide, affecting hospitals, schools, corporate offices, cinema halls, factories, and private homes across 20 states, including major cities like Pune, Mumbai, Nashik, Surat, Ahmedabad, and Delhi.

Despite arrests made in early 2025, investigators noted that the illegally obtained clips remained accessible on Telegram groups until at least June. Many of the compromised CCTV systems were still using factory-set passwords, making them easy targets for hackers. A cybercrime officer from Ahmedabad explained that the hackers employed a "brute force attack," using software to try various password combinations.

The lead hacker, Parit Dhameliya, a BCom graduate, utilized three different software programs to execute the breach. Another accomplice, Rohit Sisodiya, who had a diploma in medical laboratory technology, was arrested in Delhi. He used a legitimate remote viewing tool to gain unauthorized access to the hospital's cameras by inputting stolen login credentials. This incident underscores the critical need for improved cybersecurity measures in India to protect sensitive information and prevent such breaches in the future.