FreeHour ignores request for reports it filed with IDPC and police

Police took a hard-handed approach after four University of Malta computer science students had flagged a data security issue in FreeHour.

Industry insiders have questioned FreeHour’s reports, given the company’s claims that no personal data was compromised, and that the security issue was fixed within 24 hours.

Questions have also been raised in discussions on social media, particularly on the wording of the student app company’s reports to the authorities.

One user asked whether the way in which the students had been reported to the IDPC and the police could have contributed to the authorities’ highly criticised action.

The four students were consequently arrested, even strip-searched, and had their computer equipment seized.

Last weekend, FreeHour announced it would be “exploring ways to help” the students, claiming it only understood there was no malicious intent after the four had taken to the media.

FreeHour was founded by its CEO Zach Ciappara (cover image) and is partly owned by Lovin Malta.