An incident in Bengaluru has raised serious concerns over data privacy and the potential misuse of personal information through widely-used apps. A woman discovered that her ex-boyfriend, employed by a food delivery platform, had allegedly been tracking her movements using the company’s app, accessing her real-time delivery addresses without her knowledge. The troubling account was shared on LinkedIn by Rupal Madhup, a brand marketing professional, who detailed the disturbing experience of her friend.
According to Madhup, her friend met the individual on the dating platform Bumble, and after their relationship ended, he reportedly used his position at the food delivery company to monitor her activities. By flagging her account, he was able to track her delivery locations, giving him insight into her movements and personal habits. This, Madhup claimed, included unwarranted questions about her whereabouts, food orders, and even intimate details about her personal life.
The ex-boyfriend’s intrusion became apparent when he began repeatedly questioning her late-night food orders and trips. His invasive comments, such as "What are you doing in Chennai?" and "Ordering chocolates, are you on your period?", alarmed the woman, leading her to realise that her former partner had been accessing sensitive information through the delivery app.
Madhup wrote in her post: “At first, she thought it was just him being weird, but when it kept happening, she put 2+2 together. This man was literally using data to stalk her post-breakup... Knowing someone’s location and activities through a food delivery app is seriously creepy, especially given how revenge-driven breakups can be.”
The incident prompted widespread concern over how personal data is handled by companies, particularly when it comes to employees who may have access to customer information. Responses to the LinkedIn post have been mixed, with some expressing disbelief and citing robust security measures that should prevent such misuse.
One commenter stated: “Most tech companies employ strict privacy policies and security measures to safeguard user data. It is highly unlikely that an individual employee, regardless of their access level, can use customer data for personal motives without violating internal protocols or facing severe consequences.”
However, others pointed to instances where data misuse has occurred, even within companies with stringent policies. A user familiar with data processes commented, “When you are part of data teams, you mostly have access to user data. It’s unusual, but you can see activity by customer ID itself. Extremely scary.”
Another individual shared a personal experience, recalling an unsettling incident involving a former partner’s ex, who worked at Flipkart and allegedly accessed sensitive information about their personal orders. The user claimed that the individual contacted them directly, revealing details of their past orders, and used the information to intimidate them.
"I am so sure you are not making this and I want to reach out and say this to everyone that she is not making it up. I still go through this situation through apps like Mygate, No Broker etc. This is not a forum for discussing personal situations hence I keep my experience to myself. The bottom line our data are not secure, cyber bullying is common and does affect mental health," a user stated.
The situation intensified ongoing conversations about data privacy in India, especially as the country increasingly moves toward digital platforms for everyday services. Though the companies involved have not publicly responded to the incident, questions surrounding internal data access protocols and the potential for abuse remain central to the debate.
Legal experts suggest that if proven, the ex-boyfriend’s actions could fall under laws concerning data breaches and cyberstalking.
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