Published Feb 24, 2026 | 1:39 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 24, 2026 | 1:39 PM
Kerala High Court. (iStock)
Synopsis: It has been alleged that messages highlighting government measures such as DA hikes, salary revision and home loan benefits were sent to government and semi-government employees from a business WhatsApp account managed by the CMO.
The High Court of Kerala has criticised the state government over the alleged leakage and misuse of personal data from the SPARK (Service and Payroll Administrative Repository for Kerala) software, questioning how the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) accessed employees’ phone numbers and other personal details.
Justice Bachu Kurian Thomas, while considering a petition filed by opposition service organisations, observed that prima facie the action amounted to an invasion of privacy.
The court directed the government not to send further messages until the matter is taken up again later this week.
“From where did the Chief Minister’s Office obtain the phone numbers and personal information of employees? If this data is protected, how was it accessed? If it is not protected, what security exists for the information stored in SPARK?” the court asked.
The petition alleged that messages highlighting government measures such as DA hikes, salary revision and home loan benefits were sent to government and semi-government employees from a business WhatsApp account managed by the CMO.
It further claimed that even individuals and entrepreneurs who had registered for government services received similar messages without consent.
The messages were sent even as Kerala has been preparing for the Assembly elections.
The court noted that serious allegations had been raised, including violation of the right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution and breach of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
It also recalled that the Advocate General had earlier assured the court in another matter that such data would not be used for purposes other than those for which it was collected.
The government submitted that the messages were intended only for beneficiaries of government schemes.
However, the court pointed out that messages appeared to have been sent to persons who were not beneficiaries, questioning the justification.
“What security is there for personal information? The fact that information may have been leaked is more serious than the content of the message itself,” the court remarked, adding that if the messages are not sent in the interim, further coercive action could be deferred.
The court also directed issuance of notices to parties other than the Chief Minister named in the petition.
The matter will be considered again next week.
SPARK is an integrated personnel, payroll and accounts information system for all government employees.
