A disturbing incident has come to light in the state capital, where surveillance camera footage from movie theatres has reportedly been leaked and sold on social media platforms and certain sites known for circulating inappropriate content. According to preliminary findings, the leaked clips—some allegedly priced as high as ₹2.5 lakh per scene—contain sensitive visuals of unsuspecting moviegoers.
The revelation has prompted immediate intervention from the authorities. Following instructions from the cyber police, the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has initiated a detailed investigation into the breach.
Early assessments indicate that the footages may have leaked through siphoning from surveillance cameras installed inside the theatres. Officials suspect multiple possible routes for the leak.Employees or maintenance personnel may have accessed stored footage or the cloud storage systems used for security backups might have been compromised.Mobile applications provided by camera companies could have also been exploited, especially since many such apps allow free remote access to live or stored footage. Possibility of hacking and unauthorized retrieval of digital surveillance content also cannot be ruled out.
Cyber police found the video fragments circulating online but have not yet been able to track the exact source of the breach.
In response, the Cultural Department has taken action against the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) after confirming that certain theatres under its management were affected by the leak.Recognizing the seriousness of the matter, the Corporation has constituted a five-member inquiry committee, which has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive investigation. The committee is expected to submit a detailed report within 10 days.
The incident has raised pressing questions about the security of surveillance systems in public places. Experts warn that the ease of digital storage, remote access apps, and unsecured maintenance workflows make such systems vulnerable if not monitored strictly.
Authorities have assured that further action will be taken once the inquiry report is submitted, and additional safeguards will be enforced to prevent similar breaches in the future.