A massive privacy scare erupted across India after cybersecurity researchers revealed that a platform named ProxyEarth is allegedly exposing location details and personal information of millions of Indians using nothing more than a mobile phone number. The discovery has triggered nationwide alarm as experts warn that the exposed data could be misused for stalking, extortion, identity theft, and targeted scams.
According to security reports and user testimonies, ProxyEarth appears to pull data from multiple databases and display sensitive information such as the user’s address, live location, photo, relatives, and past phone records. India Today’s investigation highlighted how easily accessible the data is, raising urgent questions about the platform’s legality and data-source origins.
How ProxyEarth triggered a national privacy alarm
Investigators demonstrated that simply entering a phone number into ProxyEarth returns detailed information about individuals within seconds. Unlike typical caller-ID services, ProxyEarth allegedly reveals far more than identification details, including movement patterns and private personal records.
Cyber experts stated that if the data being displayed is accurate, proxyearth could be pulling from breached telecom databases, unsecured government APIs, or illegally purchased bulk data sets. Since the platform does not list its ownership, company registration, or data compliance standards, analysts fear it may be operating outside India’s data-protection framework.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is expected to initiate a review, while legal experts say the platform violates principles under the upcoming Digital Personal Data Protection Act, which strictly prohibits unauthorized collection and processing of personal information.
Potential risks for citizens and national security
The widespread use of proxyearth poses significant risks:
- Individuals may become victims of tracking, harassment or doxxing
- Criminal groups could exploit the data for fraud
- Women and minors face increased safety threats
- Sensitive government personnel could be exposed
- Identity-theft cases may rise significantly
Cybersecurity specialists warn that if such platforms remain accessible, India could face one of its largest privacy crises. They advise users to avoid sharing phone numbers publicly and to remain alert about suspicious calls or messages.
Conclusion
The ProxyEarth data exposure controversy highlights a critical threat to digital safety in India. With millions of individuals potentially at risk, urgent government intervention and public awareness are needed to prevent misuse of leaked data. The case also emphasizes the importance of strong data-protection laws and strict enforcement across telecom and digital ecosystems.
Read Also: Replit integrates Vibe coding platform into Google Cloud — a boost for cloud AI development
