Peru fines clinic 0K for leaking Shakira’s medical records


Sensitive health data went viral after the singer’s hospitalization, sparking outrage and a nationwide privacy investigation

Shakira’s private life was once again thrust into the public eye, this time for all the wrong reasons. Peruvian health authorities have slapped Lima’s Delgado Auna clinic with a $190,000 fine after an internal leak exposed the Colombian superstar’s confidential medical records online.

The incident dates back to February, when Shakira was hospitalized in Lima for severe abdominal pain. While her stay was meant to be discreet, details of her condition and treatment quickly began circulating on social media, triggering a firestorm of public backlash.

SuSalud, the Peruvian health regulatory agency, launched a five-month investigation into the breach, interviewing clinic staff and inspecting the facility to trace how the sensitive information escaped. In a statement, SuSalud condemned the leak as a “serious violation of patient rights” under national privacy laws, which classify the disclosure of health information as a grave offense.

In response, Delgado Auna’s management said it has initiated disciplinary proceedings against employees allegedly responsible for the data breach, calling the incident “an unacceptable failure in professional ethics.”

The timing was particularly difficult for Shakira, 48, who was forced to cancel a scheduled concert in Lima on February 16 due to her medical emergency. Remarkably, she bounced back just two days later, returning to the stage to resume her record-breaking world tour, which included a historic run of 28 shows in Mexico.

The hefty fine sends a strong message about the importance of patient privacy, regardless of celebrity status. For fans and critics alike, it’s also a reminder of the fragile balance between public fascination and an individual’s fundamental right to confidentiality.