Popular Youtuber Will Davis exposes data breach in Sri Lanka’s visa system

9 May 2024 02:34 pm - 21 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, May 9 (Daily Mirror) - Popular travel influencer Will Davis, also known as 'TrekTrendy' on YouTube, took to Instagram to raise alarm about a concerning data breach related to Sri Lanka's visa issuing system.

Davis shared his distress over receiving daily emails containing tourist visas, complete with sensitive personal information such as full names, addresses and passport details.

He said that despite having his visa approved a long time ago, he has been continuously receiving details of other applicants from VFS Global.

“Some of you may remember the Sri Lanka visa saga a few weeks ago. Well, whilst mine has long been approved, each day I’ve been getting other tourists visas emailed to me complete with full names, address and passport info. How is this a thing?! I’ve reached out in an attempt to try and make these stop but what a massive data breach,” Will Davis posted on Instagram.

Recently, VFS Global faced criticism for its visa issuing procedures at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and the fees, following the circulation of a viral video on social media.

In the wake of perplexities surrounding the issue of the visa on-arrival, VFS Global has temporarily ceased operations at the BIA counter.

Meanwhile, the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security along with the Controller General of the Department of Immigration and Emigration have been summoned before the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) today for a balanced inquiry into the ongoing visa fiasco.

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Prof. Senevirathne Thursday, 09 May 2024 03:03 PM

This joke (a very expensive one given their cut) has to be stopped. Please go back to the previous ETA managed by mobitel - OR ask a sri lankan IT company to implement a new system

Picolo Friday, 10 May 2024 03:24 PM

Excellent, this is the only viable way there are enough numbers of IT experts in Sri Lanka. But unfortunately Harin Fernando and his crooked henchmen need commission under the table. By the time tourists are peaking harin would shed his skin

Dr Saman Thursday, 09 May 2024 03:05 PM

This is huge reputation damage to Sri Lankan immigration system with terrible consequences to the tourism industry

Nimal Thursday, 09 May 2024 03:08 PM

Who is going to pay if the victims of the data breach demand compensation?

Layman Thursday, 09 May 2024 03:10 PM

RIP tourism

No Privacy Thursday, 09 May 2024 03:21 PM

This is insane, How scary, All credits to this Influencer for revealing the truth! VFS Global over to you...what do you have to say?

Kumar soysa Thursday, 09 May 2024 03:50 PM

All the more reason why visas should be issued only by the Immigration Service at entry or by the Embassy.

Be Fair Thursday, 09 May 2024 04:10 PM

Alles, now the ball is on your court, What's the excuse now

Yohan Thursday, 09 May 2024 05:24 PM

Allas the scammer go gome. Rw sack this joker before he does more damages to what ever the good points you have scored.

sach Thursday, 09 May 2024 09:59 PM

Alles and RW are the same and they both work for same boss

MORE DRAMA TO COME OUT SHOWING THE PEOPLE HOW INEFFICIENT THE MAJORITY IN GOVERNMENT ARE AND GIVES MAJORITY OF ALL THE REASON WHY THEY NEED TO BE HOOFED OUT OF POLITICS. Thursday, 09 May 2024 05:57 PM

congratulations to this guy, he deserves a free two week stay on the expense of the TOURIST MINISTER. ANOTHER BLUNDER EXPOSED AROUND THE WORLD, LET US SEE WHAT THE TOURISTS AROUND THE WORLD THINK OF THIS RELEASE OF THEIR PERSONAL INFORMATION.

ARREST ALL VHF STAFF IN COLOMBO Thursday, 09 May 2024 06:00 PM

Criminal investigation must commence right now. This is a severe data breach by VHF.

Tissa Fernando Thursday, 09 May 2024 06:13 PM

Pathetic situation, fire these VFS Global. There are enough reasons to fire them. Only one reason not to fire them ( that is loss of commission by the RW and Tiran).

DW Thursday, 09 May 2024 06:18 PM

What a bunch of fools!!!! They destroyed a perfectly working system. Everytime I applied for visa in the past, I received it in less than 24 hours. Now, it's a nightmare apparently. Where is RW's big mouth now?

Lord Kent Thursday, 09 May 2024 06:28 PM

I own a hotel in Sri Lanka and I regularly get ETA approval emails sent to me by mistake for arriving guests complete with their details?

Shera Thursday, 09 May 2024 06:43 PM

Not at all surprised. Even banks in Sri Lanka have very little privacy for customer information from my experience. I have called from overseas to inquire about my accounts and have been surprised how easily I can get someone on the phone to give out all the account information without a multi-step verification. This does not seem to be VSF issue but a system wide lack of attention to customer privacy.

Navi Thursday, 09 May 2024 09:32 PM

Spying on Ins /Outs of persons to Sri Lanka. Exposed in time. Tourism will get hit.

Patcitz Thursday, 09 May 2024 10:54 PM

Sri Lanka should not back the Indian VFS system which is detrimental to Sri Lanka's privacy policy. Therefore, please, cut ties immediately with India's relationship.

Mila Friday, 10 May 2024 05:57 AM

Indians doing our visa have to stop completely! No Indians or anyone else should be involved in Sri Lankan visas. Only Sri Lankans are allowed to do our visa. We want the old way of applying for a visa. People who allow Indians to do our visas are traitors who try to destroy Sri Lanka. Trourisme will suffer, and I also do not like to come anymore because of this Indian company. I can't stand to hear an Indian talk on the phone when I call, and at the same time, they don't understand much either.

UAli Friday, 10 May 2024 06:44 AM

Another thing coming out is this short tempered,revenge seeking minister in charge of police,Alles ,he himself too, British citizen

a disaster to Sri Lanka's tourism industry Friday, 10 May 2024 06:03 PM

Another youtuber who has been promoting Sri Lanka tourism for the last three months or so left the island fearing for her life vowing never to come back to Sri Lanka again in a comment she had posted before she left the country two days ago.. Sri Lanka's tourism industry has been dealt a severe blow by this incident.

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Popular Youtuber Will Davis exposes data breach in Sri Lanka’s visa system

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