Heath Minister Firass Abiad.
BEIRUT — Health Minister Firass Abiad said Sunday that he has worked to solve the problem of hacking of the MOPHPASS platform, which collects data on travelers arriving in Lebanon in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, following reports of personal data leakage. He also assured that his ministry would work to develop the security of this platform and file a complaint against anyone who contributed to the hacking.
Here’s what we know:
• “As a result of the investigation carried out after the hacking of some personal data registered on the ministry’s MOPHPASS platform …, the loophole that facilitated the hacking has been identified,” the minister's press office explained in a statement.
• “The necessary tests have been carried out to ensure that this problem has been resolved and that the hacking will not happen again,” the text continued, stating that the operation affected a “limited number of public figures’ data, without the platform being fully controlled.”
• “Work continues to develop security criteria, monitor cyber hazards and limit them,” the document added.
On Saturday, a local Lebanese media outlet reported that the data of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and former and current ministers were hacked, including those of Public Works and Transport Minister Ali Hamiyeh and MP and former Energy Minister Gebran Bassil.
• On Friday, Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi announced that he had received a call from Hamiyeh, informing him of a “leak of some of his personal information on the platform of the Health Ministry.
• The Ministry also said that it had informed the General Directorate of General Security of this case, so that it could continue work on the matter. It has also transferred the case to the public prosecutor’s office and says it will file a complaint against anyone who has carried out or taken part in the hacking. Finally, the statement said that the platform will be shut down when it is no longer needed to play a health role.