In December 2008 the World Bank declared that it had debarred Satyam Computer Services for providing "improper benefits to bank staff". Contractors also installed spyware allowing external hacking into the most sensitive data like those of the Bank’s treasury unit.

First investigations were launched in 2004, but the Bank failed to take action until September 2008. Satyam had been an almost exclusive software contractor for the Bank, building and controlling the Bank’s entire information network.

Having officially denied the accusations against Satyam in October 2008, the Bank had to reveal its ban after the watchdog organisation Government Accountability Project refused to keep the information confidential.