Kazakhstan: Uni Leaks Personal Data Of Virgin Female Students Online

A university in Kazakhstan allegedly leaked information such as names and phone numbers of 'virgin' female students on social media, according to Kazakhstan media reports. The Al-Farabi Kazakhstan University is facing flak for conducting medical tests to determine the virginity status of female students and leaking their personal data online. About 190 girls and women aged 17 to 21 allegedly had to compulsorily undergo the gynaecological exam at the university's medical centre. It is unclear why the tests were conducted. 

Reportedly, Kazakhstan’s minister of science and higher education, Sayasat Nurbek, stated."The transfer of personal data, especially of a medical nature, is a violation. I have taken control of this issue because there is a direct violation here. Those responsible will face punishment under our current legislation.”

Medical Exam To Determine Virginity Status

In a major breach of privacy, the Al-Farabi Kazakhstan University allegedly made the girls and women students undergo a gynaecological procedure at the institute's medical centre to determine their virginity status. The University has not commented on why this was done. Details such as the names, ages, phone numbers, and tax details of these 17- to 21-year-olds were then posted to social media, according to reports.

The questionable addition of “virginity status” has sparked serious concerns about the need for gathering such private data and the necessity of these tests. Initial reports also state that the details were first sent to the dean's office of the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics, local media reported. They were then circulated on university WhatsApp groups that included teachers, fellow students, and possibly others.

"A nurse from Smart Health University City LLP, which provides medical services to the university, sent documents with a list of third- and fourth-year students to the specialist of the dean's office on February 6 to ensure that they undergo a fluorography. However, in addition to the names of the students, the documents also contained personal medical information," the University reportedly said in a statement. 

The university authorities added, "An appeal was sent to the Almaty city prosecutor's office with a request to take action on this fact on February 14. The university is considering terminating the contract with Smart Health University City LLP." Human rights activists and privacy experts have expressed indignation about the occurrence, raising concerns about invasions of personal privacy, individual privacy, and medical confidentiality. Al-Farabi Kazakhstan University officials are also reportedly implementing measures to mitigate the damage.