Time and again UDAI(Unique Identification Authority of India) has been asserting that our Aadhaar data is secure and people of India can rest assured about the protection of our personal and biometric data. We have seen security flaws surfacing on the Internet over alleged data breach of Aadhaar and again Tribune has published about the existence of major security breach happening on daily basis. Our Aadhaar data, which is supposed to be highly secure in the hands of UIDAI is available to anyone who can pay Rs. 500.
According to Tribune, people are approached via WhatsApp for the service using which you are provided the portal and the username & password to use the portal. Using this service you can feed Aadhaar number and you will be able to download all personal details. This service is being provided at the mere amount of Rs. 500. Not only this, if you pay Rs. 300 more, you will be able to download the Aadhaar card also.
The government of India is trying to make Aadhaar the social security number of India but it seems the goal is miles ahead as far as the security of personal data is concerned. This is a major security breach and UIDAI & Government Of India must take actions to close all possible loopholes in UIDAI systems. It's still unknown whether the current issue is caused by software's security flaw or it is the result corrupt officers prevailing in UIDAI.
Here's the link to the post by Tribune where it got first got published: http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/rs-500-10-minutes-and-you-have-access-to-billion-aadhaar-details/523361.html
Update 1: According to The Indian Express, UIDAI has filed FIR against the Tribune, reporter Rachna Khaira for Aadhaar data breach story. An unnamed deputy director has filed an FIR under Indian Penal Code Sections 419 (punishment for cheating by impersonation), 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery) and 471 (using as genuine a forged document) against the accused.
Update 2: UIDAI is under fire for the FIR against the reporter. The Editors Guild of India, opposition parties, and the local press clubs have condemned the action.
Expressing serious concern over the FIR, the Editors Guild of India said, “It is clearly meant to browbeat a journalist whose investigation on the matter was of great public interest. It is unfair, unjustified and a direct attack on the freedom of the press.”
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