Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 10 (IANS): The Congress-led UDF in Kerala on Friday asked the Pinarayi Vijayan government to investigate how the data on Covid-19 patients and suspects is being fed into the server of a US-based marketing firm, Sprinklr.

Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala told the media the data transfer was taking place in Kerala from the local ward level. The data is collected by the government and sent to the server of the US-based marketing company, he said.

"Several countries have banned this. The most precious thing is data, especially related to Covid-19. What is doubtful is why this is being handed over to a foreign company when our own state-owned companies can do an analysis. The emblem of the Kerala government is being used by this US firm. These are generally protected health information pertaining to our people," said Chennithala.

Demanding an investigation, Chennithala asked: "We want to know what's this all about. What's the financial implication in it? The government has to come out with an explanation."