<keyword id="20812331" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="telecom-service-provider" source="keywords">Telecom service provider</keyword> <keyword id="19951944" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharti-Airtel" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Bharti Airtel" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Bharti Airtel">Bharti Airtel</keyword> on Friday denied reports of any breach of its <keyword id="19966946" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="customer-data" source="keywords">customer data</keyword> and said that such a claim was a desperate attempt to tarnish the brand's image. "There has been a report alleging that <keyword id="19896909" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airtel" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Airtel" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Airtel">Airtel</keyword> customer data has been compromised. This is nothing short of a desperate attempt to tarnish Airtel's reputation by vested interests. We have done a thorough investigation and can confirm that there has been no breach whatsoever from Airtel systems," the telco said in a statement. The statement comes after an account named 'xenZen' on the dark web claimed to have access to the latest database of over 375 million Airtel India customers, including phone number, email address, parents name, and government IDs including Aadhar, and put it up for sale. "The original threat actor that made the claim has been banned from the hacking forum for scamming people," sources from Airtel told PTI. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/upcoming-smartphones-launching-in-india-in-july-2024/slidelist/111304902.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/upcoming-smartphones-launching-in-india-in-july-2024/slidelist/111304902.cms" target="_blank">Upcoming smartphones launching in India in July 2024</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/hp-envy-x360-14-review/articleshow/111407165.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/hp-envy-x360-14-review/articleshow/111407165.cms" target="_blank">HP Envy x360 14 review – feature-packed laptop with a sleek design</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/motorola-razr-50-ultra-flip-phone-launched-in-india-for-99999/slidelist/111504950.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/motorola-razr-50-ultra-flip-phone-launched-in-india-for-99999/slidelist/111504950.cms" target="_blank">Motorola Razr 50 Ultra flip phone launched in India for ₹99,999</a>

Reports of data breach desperate attempt to tarnish brand's image: Airtel

<ul><li>Only 19% of Indian companies have a sufficient budget to have the desired level of cyber security. </li><li>32% organizations believe careless employees are the targets of cyber attacks. </li><li>India has been the target of mass scale data breaches and cyber security attacks.</li></ul>Despite an increase in large-scale cyber attacks, a majority of Indian companies seem unprepared to tackle these challenges, a recent report has warned. One of India’s biggest digitization drive – <a href="https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/india-saw-world-s-largest-online-data-breach-2018-due-lax-cyber-security-wef-95141">Aadhar</a> – became the target of the world’s biggest data breach in the past <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/here-are-the-most-controversial-data-breaches-of-2018-that-affected-indian-users/articleshow/67148364.cms">year</a>, showing the rising importance of cyber security in India. A World Economic Forum report said that the breach was due to India’s “lax cyber security protocols”. Over the years, India has been a target of mass cyber security attacks like ransomware WannaCry, even then the country’s business organization have not stepped up their game to secure themselves from such attacks. The EY Global Information Security Survey (EY GISS) 2018-19 – India edition released last week said only 19% of Indian companies have a sufficient budget to provide the levels of cybersecurity and resilience as required even though said 70% said they plan to increase the budgets soon. Moreover, the report also said that 32% of Indian organizations see careless/unaware employees as the biggest vulnerability to cyber security risks. It also said that 56% of the organizations consider cyber security as an integral part of their strategy and plans, however there is a shortage of required skills or talent in India to tackle cyber security challenges. Given India’s fast-growing affinity towards technology and its services, it is important that the country’s businesses take more active steps towards cyber security. “As we accelerate towards becoming a trillion-dollar digital economy, building the right framework for cyber resilience and security is critical for the country. The government on its part has taken a number of initiatives in this direction; however, the involvement of each citizen and all organizations to make it a collective and coordinated movement is must for the success of the cyber secure eco system,” said Dr. Gulshan Rai, cyber-security chief with the Indian government. India currently ranks 15th in a list of the world’s least secure countries with respect to cyber security, according to a <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-cybersecurity-privacy-data-breach-crypto-hackers-aadhaar-1450572-2019-02-07">study</a> conducted by security portal Comparitech. See Also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/here-are-the-most-controversial-data-breaches-of-2018-that-affected-indian-users/articleshow/67148364.cms">Here are the most controversial data breaches of 2018 that affected Indian users</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indias-armed-forces-are-setting-up-a-dedicated-agency-to-fight-cyber-attacks/articleshow/67542126.cms">India's armed forces are setting up a dedicated agency to fight cyber attacks</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/over-15700-indian-websites-have-been-hacked-so-far-in-2018-which-is-nearly-half-the-number-of-hacks-that-happened-last-year/articleshow/67075038.cms">India has seen 15,700 website hacks so far in 2018, nearly half the number from last year: report</a>

A majority of Indian corporates are unprepared for cyber security challenges: Report

<ul><li>Chief of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), RS Sharma, is claiming that private data companies are behind undermining the privacy and security of the Aadhaar unique ID system.</li><li>He contends that since India generates the most amount of data in the world, private data companies want to set up their own digital ID systems to capitalize on that opportunity.</li><li>Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries and the richest man in India, also made a similar statement about the importance of keeping the data of Indian users within the country.</li></ul>The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chief, RS Sharma, is alleging that there’s a conspiracy afoot to undermine the authority of the world’s largest biometric identification system by private data companies in the country. Sharma asserts that not only are data companies trying to undermine Aadhaar’s privacy framework, but they’re doing it in an attempt to set up their own identity systems. 
 <div type="ExtQuote" text="&quot;My suspicion, I will have to prove that, but based on circumstantial evidence, we think that many of data companies are behind Aadhaar issue. They want to create their own identity system.&quot;" auname="RS Sharma at 'International Colloquium on Ethics and Governance of Autonomous AI Systems'"></div>



 The Aadhaar digital identification system has been under scrutiny for its privacy issues since its inception. Despite repeated <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-trai-chiefs-aadhar-challenge-and-everything-thats-happened-since/articleshow/65227979.cms">affirmations</a> Sharma and the introduction of two-layer security system — citizens <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/nine-years-later-80-of-indians-are-still-not-convinced-the-worlds-largest-biometric-id-system-is-secure/articleshow/64406235.cms">aren’t convinced</a>. Sharma asserted, “Why would somebody want a national identity to develop and become national digital identity register. Many of these opposition (to Aadhaar) are happening because of these guys (data companies). They think that they should develop ID for the world.” Sharma contends that India generates nearly six exabytes of data per month — making it the highest in the world — and that is of interest to corporations. Mukesh Ambani, the head of Reliance Industries and the richest man in India, also warned against data colonisation at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit in January propagating that ownership of Indian data needs to stay within India. 
 <div type="ExtQuote" text="&quot;In this new world, data is the new oil. And data is the new wealth. India's data must be controlled and owned by Indian people and not by corporates, especially global corporations.”" auname="Mukesh Ambani at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit"></div>



 Similar to Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), India has been working on its own Personal Data Privacy Bill. TRAI explained that accountability, autonomy and security are integral for it to be an efficient ‘Data Controller’ in its report, the ‘Privacy, Security and Ownership of Data in the Telecom Sector’. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/amazon-pay-wants-your-aadhaar-number/articleshow/67488694.cms">This is why Amazon wants your Aadhaar number</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/latest-aadhaar-data-leak-via-indane-gas-may-be-the-biggest-so-far-according-to-elliot-alderson/articleshow/68058787.cms">Latest Aadhaar leak may have hit 6.7 million Indians, alleges Elliot Alderson</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/supreme-court-clarifies-that-aadhar-isnt-mandatory-for-a-new-sim-connection/articleshow/63928188.cms">Supreme Court clarifies that aadhaar isn’t mandatory for a new SIM connection</a>

Indian telecom regulator’s conspiracy theory about Aadhaar data leaks sounds a lot like Mukesh Ambani’s claim

<keyword id="45830" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bill-Gates">Bill Gates</keyword> is a lot of things. He’s the founder of Microsoft, one of the world’s richest men and arguably, the world’s most generous philanthropist. He’s also an advocate of the world’s largest biometric identification programme, the Indian government’s <keyword id="155319" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aadhar">Aadhar</keyword> scheme. It currently has over 1.1 billion Indian citizens enrolled. Gates has said that the scheme <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/aadhaar-doesnt-pose-any-privacy-issue-bill-gates/articleshow/64013082.cms">does not pose any privacy issues</a>. In an additional vote of confidence, he has also provided funding for <keyword id="6354424" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-bank">World Bank</keyword> projects to replicate the scheme in other countries. Gates did, however stress, that the applications that use people’s Aadhar details need to be monitored effectively. “The individual applications that use Aadhaar, you have to look and see what's been stored and who has access to that information. And so, application by application, you have to make sure that's well managed”. Gate’s remarks echo similar sentiments expressed in November 2017, when he said that he didn’t called Aadhar a <a href="https://www.thequint.com/news/india/bill-gates-on-aadhaar-elephantiasis-swachh-bharat">“12-digit lie detector”</a> and said that it didn’t intrude on people’s <keyword id="6355135" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Privacy">privacy</keyword> by itself. It’s worth noting that he was also a <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bill-gates-lauds-govts-demonetisation-move/articleshow/55465263.cms">big fan of the Indian government’s demonetisation move</a> when it was launched, before<a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Now-Gates-has-%E2%80%98no-opinion%E2%80%99-on-demonetisation/article16644671.ece"> changing tack the following month</a>. The Aadhar scheme has received a lot of backlash in recent years over security breaches, data leaks, its potential for mass surveillance and the fact that it requires the accumulation of several details of a person in a central database. There have also been fundamental concerns regarding the release of personal information to government agencies. In response, the government has consistently downplayed these concerns and cited the scheme as a tool for empowerment and the distribution of benefits. In July last year, K.K. Venugopal, the Attorney General representing the central government, said <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/right-to-privacy-not-fundamental-right-centre-tells-sc/article19369385.ece">that privacy could not be considered a fundamental right.</a> The <keyword id="6354977" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Supreme-Court">Supreme court</keyword> disagreed, accordingly, stating the following month that privacy was “<a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/right-to-privacy-is-a-fundamental-right-supreme-court/articleshow/60203394.cms">intrinsic to the right to life</a>”. Hence, in implementing of the scheme, the government will have to focus on ensuring the right to privacy. The matter is still ongoing in the Supreme Court, and is said to be in its final stages. In the meantime, the linking of Aadhar details with mobile phones and <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/epfo-suspends-services-through-csc-says-no-data-leakage-1225340-2018-05-02">provident fund accounts</a> has been suspended, although the RBI still made it mandatory <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/business/rbi-makes-aadhaar-linking-of-bank-accounts-mandatory/article23621105.ece">for opening a bank account</a>, subject to the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Bill Gates defends India's Aadhar scheme, again

<ul><li><keyword id="4009819" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon-Pay">Amazon Pay</keyword>, <keyword id="18635" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon">Amazon</keyword> <keyword id="418872" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="digital-wallet">digital wallet</keyword> in <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>, is rolling out user verification (KYC) for its customers.</li><li>Reportedly submitting biometrics using <keyword id="144117" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="AADHAAR">Aadhaar</keyword> credentials is a faster process for verification than other physical documents. </li><li>But concerns related to Aadhaar aren’t about its convenience, but about its security.</li></ul>Amazon Pay is the next digital wallet to roll out physical customer verification — but there’s a catch. If you use your <keyword id="6356006" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aadhaar-card">Aadhaar card</keyword> for verification, the process is a lot quicker than if you other methods of verification — passport, drivers license, voter ID, or bank statements. It’s not really Amazon’s fault because the biometric verification through Aadhar is simple matter of verifying your fingerprint through a fingerprint reader. But, with other physical documents, the company needs people on the ground to verify the authenticity of the documents. Simply put, the verification through Aadhaar is a lot cheaper for Amazon as compared to using other documents for physical verification. Amazon Pay and other digital wallets have to enforce user verification in line with the Reserve Bank of India’s new policy on data localisation. Not an Amazon-specific problem India’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of India, rolled out its data localisation policy rendering 95% of mobile wallets in the country vulnerable to being shut down. The directive of the policy makes it mandatory for all digital wallets to have biometrics or physical customer verification in place. Even PayTM nudged its users into adopting KYC in order to continue using their wallets. If your PayTM account isn’t verified, you can still receive payments from other users and make payments at retail outlets using the QR-code but you can’t send out money to other users directly. Other digital wallets like MobiKwik have shifted to diversifying themselves because they haven’t been able to push their customers towards KYC norms with RBI’s February deadline coming up. The case with Aadhaar India’s top court has already ruled that private companies can’t make it ‘mandatory’ for Aadhaar to be the only method of user verification. But that doesn’t negate it as an option. The issue that people are facing with Aadhaar isn’t whether or not it’s convenient, but whether or not it’s safe. The series of data breaches associated with the Aadhaar system didn’t happen through actual government database, but through third-party organisations that were using Aadhaar information as user identification. A <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/80-people-concerned-about-aadhaar-data-security-study/articleshow/64382747.cms">study </a>by Velocity MR estimates that as many as 80% of respondents in India are concerned about data security when it comes to giving out their Aadhaar card information anywhere. It’s not just about identity theft but information being leaked that leads to customers being spammed over text and email — or even phished. This is probably why Amazon is looking to roll out its own Unified Payments Interface (<keyword id="6358921" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="upi">UPI</keyword>) because, in that case, KYC isn’t mandatory for setting up an account. The verification done by the respective banks is enough. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/in-india-amazons-fight-is-not-just-with-flipkart-but-with-paytm-google-pay-and-truecaller/articleshow/67456165.cms">In India, Amazon's fight is not just with Flipkart, but with PayTM, Google Pay and Truecaller</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indian-government-portal-leaks-8-9mn-aadhaar-details-again/articleshow/63924186.cms">Indian government portal leaks 8.9mn Aadhaar details, again</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/supreme-court-clarifies-that-aadhar-isnt-mandatory-for-a-new-sim-connection/articleshow/63928188.cms">Supreme Court clarifies that Aadhar isn’t mandatory for a new SIM connection</a>

This is why Amazon wants your Aadhaar number

<ul><li>The supreme court’s verdict on the <keyword id="3301209" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aadhaar-Act">Aadhaar Act</keyword> removed Section 33 (2), Section 47, and Section 57 as being unconstitutional.</li><li>The court has also directed all private companies to delete their storage of customers’ Aadhaar details. </li><li>But, the Aadhaar card is still mandatory for all taxpayers since it’s required to file income tax returns (ITR).</li></ul>The Supreme Court of <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> (SC) <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-aadhaar-id-programme-is-here-to-stay-but-with-some-modifications/articleshow/65961826.cms">deemed the Aadhaar act</a> to be constitutional yesterday, but did <a href="https://www.livelaw.in/breaking-sections-33247-national-security-exception-gone-private-entities-cannot-demand-aadhaar-data/">remove sections</a> that it thought violated the right of Indian citizens. And, while participating in the world’s largest biometric database is now voluntary to a certain extent, millions of citizens have already enrolled and submitted their authentication details to third parties. That being said, the supreme court has directed <keyword id="6379816" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="telecom-operators">telecom operators</keyword> and banks to delete the biometric data that they had collected from their customers so far. It even cited the Department of Telecom’s (DoT) circular on the re-verification of phone numbers with Aadhaar details as unconstitutional. 
 
 
 <div type="Youtube" id="4XJsv7aa9X0" title="The Aadhaar ID programme is here to stay but with some modifications" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4XJsv7aa9X0/mqdefault.jpg"></div>







 Sections struck down The SC removed three sections from the Aadhar Act. Section 33 (2) allowed data to be disclosed in the interest of national security. The government or allied institutions could obtain an individual’s biometric data if they were a suspected as threats. The removal of this section means that are no exceptions to individuals not being forced to disclose their authentication data, which includes their Aadhaar biometrics. Section 47 was a cause of concern because any Aadhaar data breach would only be recognised as a criminal offence if reported by an officer at the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). With this section off the Aadhaar Act, even individuals have the power to register criminal offences under the legislation. The removal of Section 57 will probably have the impact on day to day life with it no longer being ‘mandatory’ for citizens to share their data with any third-party. Aadhaar is still a valid form of identification, but it’s no longer a prerequisite to obtaining third-party services. Basically, any body, corporate or person is no longer allowed to establish the identity of an individual. Daily hustle However, taxpayers are still going to be need their Aadhaar details to register for a Permanent Account Number (PAN) and file their income tax returns (ITR). But, there’s no longer a need for people to link their Aadhaar cards to their bank accounts. Banks can longer cite Aadhaar as a prerequisite for know-your-customer (KYC) authentication. Telecom operators, no only have to delete all that they’ve been hoarding in the past, but even they can’t push for Aadhaar authentication when issuing SIM cards. In a breath of relief for parents, schools can’t ask for Aadhaar card authentication either. NET, CBSE, and UGC applications no longer need it to appear for their respective examinations. This comes in after NET has been implementing mandatory Aadhaar details, without which the application process wouldn’t be validated. Children will also be exempted from needing a Aadhaar card on all fronts. Public sector schemes will remain accessible to them even without a card. The experts and public seem divided on their opinion about these changes. While some think that it’s a step in the right direction, others believe that the dilution of the Aadhaar Act won’t address its underlying problems of privacy.

What does the supreme court verdict on Aadhaar mean for Indian citizens?

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/57894895.cms" />It was a fan boy moment for the employee of the agency helping <keyword id="6355252" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="UIDAI">UIDAI</keyword> in enrolling citizens for Aadhar when he met ace cricketer <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/heres-how-dhoni-is-giving-captaincy-lessons-to-virat-kohli/articleshow/56933432.cms">Dhoni</a> at his home to collect his biometric data. However, in over enthusiasm, Dhoni’s personal details got shared on social media, leaving wife Sakshi enraged and demanding action from Union Law and Information and Technology Minister <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/indians-dont-steal-jobs-they-create-them-says-ravi-shankar-prasad-amid-h1b-visa-row/articleshow/57689276.cms">Ravi Shankar Prasad</a>. 
 
After Prasad promised prompt action, UIDAI director has blacklisted the agency for 10 years. 
 
Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/ms-dhonis-mobile-phone-stolen/articleshow/57716602.cms">MS Dhoni’s mobile phone stolen!</a> 
 
The security breach happened in the form of a tweet that the agency's Common Services Center did from its official handle. The tweet carried a photograph of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/heres-what-dhoni-gifted-virat-kohli-after-india-won-series-against-england/articleshow/56757764.cms">Dhoni</a> getting his biometric data registered, and another of his personal details on the Aadhaar website. The tweet with the details was later deleted. 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
	
		Former India Cricket Captain <a href="https://twitter.com/msdhoni">@msdhoni</a> updated his Aadhaar details with a home visit by a CSC VLE. A fan moment for Ahsan Ali. <a href="https://twitter.com/rsprasad">@rsprasad</a> <a href="https://t.co/bMc3YZQENT">pic.twitter.com/bMc3YZQENT</a>
	— CSCeGov (@CSCegov_) <a href="https://twitter.com/CSCegov_/status/846731585097416704">March 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
Law minister Prasad even retweeted the first image, to which an enraged <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/sports/No-Time-For-Love-BCCI-Asks-Players-Not-To-Take-WAGS-Along-For-World-Cup/articleshow/45938072.cms">Sakshi</a> tweeted: 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
	
		<a href="https://twitter.com/rsprasad">@rsprasad</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CSCegov_">@CSCegov_</a> is there any privacy left ??? Information of adhaar card including application is made public property!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/disappointed?src=hash">#disappointed</a>
	— Sakshi Singh 🇮🇳❤️ (@SaakshiSRawat) <a href="https://twitter.com/SaakshiSRawat/status/846730178902446084">March 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 
Prasad later thanked her for brining up the issue, promising quick action, leading to the agency being blacklisted 
 
(Image source: Twitter)

MS Dhoni's Aadhar details leaked; wife demands action from Ravi Shankar Prasad

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/57893551.cms" /> All of a sudden, the same party that had opposed the idea of <keyword id="155319" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aadhar">Aadhar</keyword>, calling it a fraud scheme and assured of <keyword id="6354572" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="CBI">CBI</keyword> enquiry if voted to power, has taken a U-turn from its own move only three years after ruling the country. While CBI is being engaged elsewhere, the finance minister <keyword id="42575" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arun-Jaitley">Arun Jaitley</keyword> has mandated the linking of Aadhar to <keyword id="61610" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="pan">PAN</keyword>, driving licenses and several other documents. 
 
Why do we take U-turn? Before we jump in to analyze Aadhar and its allied insecurity, let’s get straight into philosophy of contradictions. What characterizes a critical thinker? American feminist historian <keyword id="4353413" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="joan-wallach-scott">Joan Wallach Scott</keyword> would say “pointing a finger to contradictions.” French philosopher François Noudelmann in his book <keyword id="310615" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Le">Le</keyword> Génie du Mensonge (The Genius of Lies) portrays <keyword id="352788" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Michel-Foucault">Michel Foucault</keyword> as a man who has the courage of truth. 
 Perhaps U-turns are a necessary ingredient for triggering intellectual blunders. And nobody better than <keyword id="41281" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="NDA">NDA</keyword> government knows that most of us struggle to maintain stability in psychological unity. And at such a juncture, contradictions produce destabilizing breaches in the self. 
 
How the government wants to go with Aadhar? 
The 12-digit number will be required for all citizens of India to file tax returns, driving licenses, filing EPF, getting railway tickets and a variety of other services. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/57893575.cms" /> 
 
Why is it alarming? 
Firstly, we need to do understand how Aadhar cards were made. Terming the procedure as causal wouldn’t be an exaggeration. A card that started as a mere identity card was gradually made into a mechanism to gain benefits from the government and now even to get basic things done in life. 
 
The process of registering people on Aadhar was executed through private enterprises known as enrollers who operated freely without any government supervision at the field level. The qualifications needed to become an enrolment agency were quite low and nobody was from a recognized name. 
 Also with the case of whether Aadhar would be mandatory for all these services still pending in the <keyword id="6354977" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Supreme-Court">Supreme Court</keyword>, taking such a move would be no less than violations of <keyword id="42836" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="SC">SC</keyword> guidelines. 
 Besides, there is zero privacy of an individual. Aadhar doesn’t guarantee any privacy and allows for mass surveillance of the countrymen under the vague term of ‘national security’. Only law that is valid in the case is Section 47 that only <keyword id="86474" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Unique-Identification-Authority-of-India">Unique Identification Authority of India</keyword> (UIDAI) can file criminal complaint for theft of data. 
 
Government is the new <keyword id="4646" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Big-Boss">Big Boss</keyword> 
No you aren’t criminal that you would need to hide. But let’s admit it nobody wants to be tracked by a big brother. Imagine the scene when somebody knows how much you earn and spend, where you holiday and which flight did you take on your last office trip, which hotel did you put up and what broadband do you use. And for many people in the country who work on contracts and you will track every penny you earn even if you don’t work throughout the year. 
 And for the people who defend the bill saying you can share your personal data with <keyword id="6355629" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Google">Google</keyword> and <keyword id="6354576" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Facebook">Facebook</keyword>, then why not with government? Tell them, there is a difference between choice and compulsion. And one can just track you and the other one can prevent you.

Here’s why linking Aadhar to all services
isn't much of a sensible step by the Modi government

<ul><li>A new survey finds that 80% of Indians don’t trust the <keyword id="144117" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="AADHAAR">Aadhaar</keyword> card program.</li><li>Respondents agree that the government needs to take <keyword id="187124" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Data-Protection">data protection</keyword> more seriously. </li><li>The government had previously signed an affidavit for the Supreme Court, stating that the Aadhaar database can neither be hacked nor breached.</li></ul>The Aadhaar card scheme, a 12-digit unique identity number for residents in India, has been embroiled in controversy since its initiation in 2009. Nine years down the line, citizens still don’t <a href="https://cio.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/digital-security/80-people-concerned-about-aadhaar-data-security-study/64383641">trust</a> the world’s <a href="https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/aadhaar-worlds-largest-id-database-exposed-by-india-government-errors/64175448">largest</a> biometric ID system. A survey conducted by Velocity MR, a market research and analysis company, concluded that eight out of 10 respondents were concerned about the security of their Aadhar data and felt the government should be more proactive about data protection. This comes from taking 5,800 respondents into consideration, across 8 tier-1 cities in India, including the National Capital Region. The Aadhaar conundrum Headlines that call the security of Aadhaar into the question rear their head every few months. Regardless of whether it’s a <a href="https://www.indiatimes.com/technology/news/an-online-researcher-hacked-into-aadhaar-s-official-android-app-to-show-how-poorly-it-s-secured-337425.html">French researcher</a> or <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/uidai-trashes-zdnet-report-refutes-aadhaar-data-leak-claim-by-delhi-researcher/articleshow/63446024.cms">ZDNet</a>, the issue lies with the government’s reiterations of the Aadhaar system being ‘<a href="https://www.troyhunt.com/is-indias-aadhaar-system-really-hack-proof-assessing-a-publicly-observable-security-posture/">hack-proof</a>’. The Unique Identification Authority of India (<keyword id="6355252" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="uidai">UIDAI</keyword>), the government agency behind Aadhaar cards has <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/aadhaar-data-is-fully-safe-uidai/articleshow/61725239.cms">said</a>, “The Aadhaar data, including biometric information, is fully safe and secure.” Even the government filed an <a href="https://www.firstpost.com/india/government-files-affidavit-in-aadhaar-case-claims-it-cannot-be-hacked-or-breached-supreme-court-to-hear-case-today-4190835.html">affidavit</a> with the Supreme Court in lieu of the Aadhaar case, that claimed that the data collected through the system cannot be breached or hacked. Security in itself is not a zero-sum game. Technology evolves at such velocity that safeguards becoming obsolete is always a concern, while also being inevitable. That being said, a system cannot be completely secure, it can only be sufficiently prepared. The Cambridge Analytica data breach scandal goes a long way in proving the same. It’s one of reasons why the conversation has veered from obtaining consent to getting ‘<a href="https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr/consent/what-is-valid-consent/">valid’ </a>consent. The same survey, when asking about Facebook usage, found that 1-in-3 users are going to reduce the amount of information they share on the social networking platform, though they aren’t ready to leave it altogether. Because, let’s be honest, there’s always a weak link or a point of vulnerability. The question is, how long will it be before someone finds it.

Nine years later, 80% of Indians are still not convinced the world’s largest biometric ID system is secure

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/57491037.cms" /><keyword id="6355252" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="UIDAI">UIDAI</keyword>, the Unique Identification Authority of India, has assured that its biometrics data are completely secure. The announcement was made after some rumours cropped up last week about a possible breach in the biometric security of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Aadhaar-beats-even-the-FBIsdata-base-fair-and-square-becoming-the-worlds-largest-biometric-database/articleshow/47068353.cms">Aadhaar database</a>. 
 
The authority has said the reported breach was a one-off incident, in which an employee working with a bank's business correspondent's company made an attempt to misuse his own biometrics. The breach was detected by UIDAI internal security system and appropriate action was taken. 
 A police complaint has been filed against Axis Bank, business correspondent Suvidhaa Infoserve and e-sign provider <keyword id="1662229" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="eMudhra">eMudhra</keyword> for attempted unauthorised authentication and impersonation by illegally storing <keyword id="144117" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="AADHAAR">Aadhaar</keyword> biometric data, said a release by UIDAI. 
 
 "Any unauthorised capture of iris or fingerprints or storage or replay of biometrics or their misuse is a criminal offence under the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Centre-to-link-Aadhaar-with-NPR-chalks-out-a-budget-of-Rs-951-crore/articleshow/47877985.cms">Aadhaar</a> Act," it said. 
 
Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/verify-drivers-and-domestic-helps-using-Aadhar-Cards/articleshow/50818292.cms">Verify your drivers and domestic helps using Aadhar Cards before hiring</a> 
 
"UIDAI uses one of world's most advanced encryption technologies in transmission and storage of data. As a result, during the last seven years, there has been no report of breach or leak of residents' data out of UIDAI," the statement claimed. 
 
Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Aadhaar-encryption-protects-privacy-will-take-eons-to-crack/articleshow/49348547.cms">Not easy to crack Aadhaar encryption code! Would require the most powerful computer to do that</a> 
 <keyword id="4256821" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="security-of-aadhaar">Security of Aadhaar</keyword> card is all the way more important now that a biometric-enabled payment system called Aadhaar Pay is about to be launched. 
 
Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/A-Step-Toward-Digital-India-10-Crore-Aadhaars-Linked-To-Bank-Accounts/articleshow/45523974.cms">A Step Toward Digital India: 10 Crore Aadhaars Linked To Bank Accounts</a> 
 
(Image Source: Wikimedia)

Database completely secure, UIDAI assures

The <keyword id="19949639" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rupee" source="keywords">rupee</keyword> was trading in a narrow range against the <keyword id="19949640" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-dollar" source="keywords">US dollar</keyword> in early trade on Wednesday, amid a negative trend in domestic equities and strong American currency. <keyword id="20024982" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Forex-traders" source="keywords">Forex traders</keyword> said significant <keyword id="20520117" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="foreign-fund-outflows" source="keywords">foreign fund outflows</keyword> in the international market dented investors' sentiments. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the local unit opened at 83.50, and touched 83.49 in initial trade, registering a gain of 2 paise from its previous close. On Tuesday, the rupee closed at 83.51 against the American currency. Forex traders easing <keyword id="20024983" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="crude-oil-prices" source="keywords">crude oil prices</keyword> supported the rupee and restricted the downside. "Demand for dollars from foreign investors kept the rupee down on Tuesday and though Wednesday's opening looks to be flat, the demand should continue. Selling by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) could keep it range-bound. "Importers are expected to adopt 'wait and watch' approach with a stop loss on breach of 83.60," said Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP. Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was at 105.55, higher by 0.14 per cent. Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, fell 0.43 per cent to USD 82.80 per barrel. On the domestic equity market, the 30-share <keyword id="19950208" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BSE-Sensex" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="BSE Sensex" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="BSE Sensex">BSE Sensex</keyword> was trading 256.62 points, or 0.35 per cent lower at 73,255.23 points. The broader NSE Nifty was down 60 points, or 0.27 per cent, to 22,242.50 points. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers in the capital markets on Tuesday as they offloaded shares worth Rs 3,668.84 crore, according to exchange data. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/aadhar-housing-finance-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/109919298.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/aadhar-housing-finance-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/109919298.cms" target="_blank">Aadhar Housing Finance IPO – Price band to risk factors, all you need to know</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/top-selling-cars-in-india-in-april-2024-tata-punch-continues-to-dominate/slidelist/109909744.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/top-selling-cars-in-india-in-april-2024-tata-punch-continues-to-dominate/slidelist/109909744.cms" target="_blank">Top-selling cars in India in April 2024 – Tata Punch continues to dominate</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/worldwide-tablet-shipments-grow-in-q1-2024-after-two-years-of-decline/articleshow/109876390.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/worldwide-tablet-shipments-grow-in-q1-2024-after-two-years-of-decline/articleshow/109876390.cms" target="_blank">Worldwide tablet shipments grow in Q1 2024 after two years of decline</a>

Rupee trades in narrow range against US dollar in early trade

<ul><li>Sood has picked up an equity stake in the startup and will also be a non-executive advisory board member.</li><li><keyword id="7016471" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Spice-Money">Spice Money</keyword> has over 500,000 entrepreneurs, whom the startup helps with cash deposit, Aadhar-enabled payment system for cash withdrawal, insurance, loans, bill payment among other things.</li><li>The five-year old startup claims to cover over 18,000 pin codes, 700 districts and 5000 blocks in India.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/">Check out the latest news and headlines from Business Insider. </a></li></ul>Bollywood actor <keyword id="15261" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sonu-Sood">Sonu Sood</keyword> who won hearts during the COVID-19 pandemic for his work supporting India’s migrant workers and the needy, is now flooded with offers from the startup world. After having signed up as a brand ambassador for Indian hospitality unicorn OYO, Sood is now endorsing Spice Money – a <keyword id="2461546" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="FinTech">fintech</keyword> startup that helps rural entrepreneurs. Spice Money is a part of the business conglomerate Spice Group which has interests across telecom, technology and finance. Sood has picked up an equity stake in the startup and will also be a Non-executive advisory board member. “Through my experiences over the last few months, I have gained an eye-opening perspective on the needs and struggles of the people in towns and villages of India. My vision is to make my countrymen, socio-economically independent and self-reliant using technology. My association with Spice Money will help us jointly achieve just that,” said the actor in a statement. The actor will work with the startup’s 500,000 entrepreneurs in rural India, which it helps with cash deposit, Aadhar-enabled payment system for cash withdrawal, insurance, loans, bill payments, cash collection centre for customer/agents/representative of NBFC/Banks, tours &amp; travel, online shopping, among other things. The five-year old startup claims to cover over 18,000 pin codes, 700 districts and 5000 blocks in India. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/ola-will-become-a-two-wheeler-maker-with-a-new-electric-scooter-plant-in-tamil-nadu-where-it-is-investing-2400-crore/articleshow/79717194.cms">Ola will become a two-wheeler maker with a new electric scooter plant in Tamil Nadu where it is investing ₹2,400 crore</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/everything-about-cozy-bear-russian-hacking-group-behind-us-government-data-breach/articleshow/79715555.cms">Meet Cozy Bear — the Russian cyber espionage group allegedly behind US government data breach</a>

After OYO, Sonu Sood picks Spice Money to be a brand ambassador ⁠— he will be advising the board too

<ul><li>The Indian parliament passed <keyword id="144117" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="AADHAAR">Aadhaar</keyword> amendment bill. </li><li>The bill laid down several provisions concerning offline verification, amongst others. </li><li><keyword id="6356006" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aadhaar-card">Aadhaar card</keyword> holders may use it voluntarily as an identification proof. </li></ul> The Indian Parliament has passed certain changes to the existing Aadhaar Act, taking away its mandatory use provision. It means that holders of the number may use it voluntarily as an identification proof. The bill laid down several provisions concerning offline verification, amongst others. The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on June 24 by Union Minister <keyword id="6354886" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ravi-Shankar-Prasad">Ravi Shankar Prasad</keyword>. He suggested the amendments under the Telegraph Act, 1885, and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 “The Opposition got the Aadhaar and now they are opposing it. The first thing we did was give it a legal framework,” Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Monday during the Parliament session. Here are 8 things about the Aadhaar amendment bill that you should know — Voluntarily Use The Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019, passed by <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/tag/1417-1415-1349/rajya-sabha/?utm=bodytag">Rajya Sabha </a>through a voice vote states that authentication of any individual via Aadhar, for availing any service including opening a bank account or getting a mobile connection is not mandatory. From now on, the Indian citizens may voluntarily use the <keyword id="485058" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aadhaar-number">Aadhaar number</keyword> in a bid to establish identity. Only a law by Parliament can make the use compulsory. Offline Verification According to the Aadhaar Bill, an individual can opt for ‘offline verification’ of an individual's identity. Using Aadhaar number of children The Bill specifically mentions seeking parent’s consent while enrolling a child to get an Aadhaar number. Moreover, parents are required to be aware of all the possible ways in which the information can be used. Parents also have the right to know the recipient of the information. Use of Aadhaar number by state or corporate body An entity can use Aadhaar as an identity proof, if the UIDAI is satisfied that it is complying with the regulation. Disclosing Information Any Aadhaar related information shall be disclosed if the High Court or Supreme Court orders to do so. Further, officers above the rank of a Secretary can order to reveal Aadhaar information. Registering complaint The Aadhaar Bill is going to allow individuals to take certain cases of misinformation and disclosure of identity of court. Previously, court were allowed to look into the matter only if UIDAI has registered a complaint. Penalties for violating the law The Bill can impose penalties upto ₹100 million along with jail term on all private entities who breach the provisions of Aadhaar Bill. Creation of UIDAI Fund A new Unique Identification Authority of India Fund will be created to collect all the fees and revenue by the UIDAI. These funds are likely to cover all the expenses of the UIDAI. Previously, the revenues were added to the Consolidated Fund of India. The amendments focused on showing only the name, gender and address on the Aadhaar through the 256-bit encryption. Further, India’s law minister reiterated the idea of government to roll out a strong framework to protect data.

Aadhaar amendment bill has been passed in the Parliament — Eight things you must know

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/57666125.cms" /><a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=prime+minister+narendra+modi&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> has been stressing on <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=aadhar&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Aadhar </a>programme and this has impressed the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=world+bank&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">World Bank</a> and how. 
 
The biometric unique identification card, or ‘Aadhar card’, is slowly becoming mandatory for most of the online transactions. 
 India’s push for <keyword id="144117" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="AADHAAR">Aadhaar</keyword>, even as it is being questioned for its security, is widely appreciated by the <keyword id="6354424" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="World-Bank">World Bank</keyword> as it's best to develop one standardized system so people can carry their IDs wherever they go in the world. 
 
Paul Romer, chief economist at the World Bank, told <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-03-15/india-id-program-wins-world-bank-praise-amid-big-brother-fears">Bloomberg</a>, “The system in India is the most sophisticated that I've seen. It's the basis for all kinds of connections that involve things like financial transactions. It could be good for the world if this became widely adopted." 
 
From healthcare services to booking a railway ticket, Aadhar is crucial for these services. Aadhar has also given legal identities to Indians who can't prove who they are. 
 
The United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals aim to provide legal IDs to all by 2030, triggering the creation of a range of platforms that offer basic rights to citizens of poorer countries while allowing those in the advanced world granular control over their digital data, such as school or medical records, and streamlining immigration. 
 “Other governments are already interested in its potential. Countries such as Tanzania, Afghanistan and Bangladesh have visited India to talk about the system,” <keyword id="44604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nandan-Nilekani">Nandan Nilekani</keyword>, billionaire co-founder of the technology company Infosys Ltd. and former chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India, who created Aadhaar, told Bloomberg. 
 
Russia, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia have also indicated their interest in Aadhaar, R.S. Sharma, chairman of the telecom regulatory authority of India, told the Mint newspaper in July 2016. 
 
However, many sections have criticized it, saying it violated national security and kept citizens under a constant watch. Before storming to power, Modi had opposed Aadhaar. Now he counts it as a key part of his push to move India towards cashless transactions and save money on the payment of social security benefits. 
 
"Centralized databases, even if the information contained therein on any one individual is kept to a minimum, pose a risk," Dakota Gruener, executive director at ID2020, a public-private partnership that aims to create digital IDs for refugees, told Bloomberg. 
 
There has been no incident of misuse of Aadhaar biometrics leading to identity theft and financial loss during the last five years, the issuing authority said in a statement on March 5, in response to a spate of news reports about breaches. 
However in a briefing it said it had shut 12 private websites and 12 mobile applications and was on the verge of closing 26 more for illegally obtaining Aadhaar numbers or enrollment details. 
 
Aadhaar is designed on the principle of "optimal ignorance," said Nilekani. While Aadhaar knows you're using the system to identify yourself on Skype, for example, it's never privy to the details of the call. Microsoft says it deletes all Aadhaar data once the call has been disconnected. 
 
The problem is not so much with Aadhaar, said Romer, who founded a technology company in 2000, but with the many private firms collecting large amounts of data about people. 
 
"It should be part of the policy of the government to give individuals some control over the data that the private firms collect and some control over how that data is used," he said. 
 
 
Here’s how Aadhar works: 
1. A unique 12-digit number is assigned to Indian residents and their details are stored in a central database. 
2. If you want to open a bank account or buy a mobile SIM card, you have to provide your Aadhaar number and place their finger on a scanner. This action permits the bank or utility to ask the Aadhaar database to verify their credentials. This eliminates providing documents for proof of identification.

World Bank is impressed with Aadhaar programme; says beneficial for the world if widely adopted

<ul><li>Two consecutive leaks from Kodali of Aadhaar numbers</li><li>Posted leaked numbers on Twitter</li><li>Database maybe secure but government portals need additional security</li></ul>Two new cases have come to light with a total of 8.9 million Aadhaar numbers of MGNREGA beneficiaries leaked through the Andhra Pradesh Benefit Disbursement Portal. The details were spotted by Srinivas Kodali, also known as @digitaldutta, who published screenshots on Twitter. 
 
 
 
 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">Another day, yet another <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Aadhaar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Aadhaar</a> data leak of 89,38,138 MNREGA workers. Website maintained by $100 billion company TCS along with another government department. Reported to security agencies. Question: where is the UIDAI bug reporting mechanism? <a href="https://t.co/0L4K2YUyl1">pic.twitter.com/0L4K2YUyl1</a>&mdash; Srinivas Kodali | శ్రీనివాస్ కొడాలి (@digitaldutta) <a href="https://twitter.com/digitaldutta/status/989332234976088064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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His earlier tweet shows how people’s Aadhar numbers are being to used to collate data on their location, religion, caste, phones numbers and bank account numbers. 
 
 
 
 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">It has always been said <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Aadhaar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Aadhaar</a> is being linked to religion and caste information, apart from occupation. While UIDAI is not doing it, other government departments are. Here is proof that UIDAI has no idea what all is being linked to your unique id. Website reported early today. <a href="https://t.co/3acEgcA1Qt">pic.twitter.com/3acEgcA1Qt</a>&mdash; Srinivas Kodali | శ్రీనివాస్ కొడాలి (@digitaldutta) <a href="https://twitter.com/digitaldutta/status/988606704253272069?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The first leak by Kodali was from the Andhra Pradesh State Housing Corporation. It showed an even grimmer reality of how Aadhar numbers are being linked to caste, the type of house a person lives in and the extent of damage it has suffered. 
 
 
 
 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">The website which was leaking all the sensitive information today was of Andhra Pradesh State Housing Corporation. Here are two images with details one showing last four digits of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Aadhaar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Aadhaar</a> after fix &amp; other masked by me showing first two. Around 1,34,193 Aadhaar numbers leaked <a href="https://t.co/pr2RwO3C5f">pic.twitter.com/pr2RwO3C5f</a>&mdash; Srinivas Kodali | శ్రీనివాస్ కొడాలి (@digitaldutta) <a href="https://twitter.com/digitaldutta/status/988709406513577985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Since then, he has reported the issue to the authorities, but his <a href="https://thenewsminute.com/article/13-lakh-aadhaar-numbers-leaked-andhra-govt-website-linked-personal-details-80178">fear</a> is that the surveys conducted in Andhra and Telangana have allowed citizens to carry phones and biometric readers, collecting private information on almost every individual. Not the first time Most recently, Karan Saini, a security researcher, told <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/another-data-leak-hits-india-aadhaar-biometric-database/">ZDNet</a> that <keyword id="6356006" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aadhaar-card">Aadhaar card</keyword> information could be obtained through Indane’s system, a state-owned utility company. According to them, they tried to contact the authorities for over a month through several avenues but to no avail. The affected endpoint was only pulled offline once the story had gone live. <a href="http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/rs-500-10-minutes-and-you-have-access-to-billion-aadhaar-details/523361.html">The Tribune</a> also looked into the Aadhaar database and found that they could attain all the details about a person by typing in the 12-digit unique identification number once they paid an agent ₹500 (approximately $8). For another ₹300 (approximately $5), that same individual could even print out a copy the Aadhaar card, which could then be used to access various government schemes. Even the Android Aadhaar app was <a href="https://www.indiatimes.com/technology/news/french-cyber-expert-cracks-official-aadhaar-app-in-1-minute-realizes-uidai-s-worst-nightmare-341416.html">hacked</a> by Robert Batiste, a french researcher, in under a minute. 
 
 
 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">How to bypass the password protection of the official <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Aadhaar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Aadhaar</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/android?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#android</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/app?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#app</a> in 1 minute. For this attack, the attacker need a physical access to the phone, rooted phone is not needed and yes this is the latest version of the app. cc <a href="https://twitter.com/UIDAI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@uidai</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ceo_uidai?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ceo_uidai</a> <a href="https://t.co/7aZ0fvr0Wv">pic.twitter.com/7aZ0fvr0Wv</a>&mdash; Baptiste Robert (@fs0c131y) <a href="https://twitter.com/fs0c131y/status/973482430903586816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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]]></cdata></div> That said, Aadhaar breaches haven’t been directly through the Aadhaar database, but through various government portals and third-parties. So, Ajay Bushan Pandey, CEO of <keyword id="6355252" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="uidai">UIDAI</keyword>, wasn’t incorrect when he said that there have been no data leaks from the UIDAI database. The Aadhaar card system, in its usage, is more than just the database. There’s a wide ecosystem to be take in to account where security concerns are yet to be addressed. A secure database doesn’t necessarily imply security of information since so much of it exists outside the Aadhaar database itself.

You Searched For "Aadhar data breach" and got 15 results

Reports of data breach desperate attempt to tarnish brand's image: Airtel

PTI

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Sanchita Dash

Indian telecom regulator’s conspiracy theory about Aadhaar data leaks sounds a lot like Mukesh Ambani’s claim

Prabhjote Gill

Bill Gates defends India's Aadhar scheme, again

Dilsher Dhillon

This is why Amazon wants your Aadhaar number

Prabhjote Gill

What does the supreme court verdict on Aadhaar mean for Indian citizens?

Prabhjote Gill

MS Dhoni's Aadhar details leaked; wife demands action from Ravi Shankar Prasad

BI India Bureau

Here’s why linking Aadhar to all services isn't much of a sensible step by the Modi government

Suchayan Mandal

Nine years later, 80% of Indians are still not convinced the world’s largest biometric ID system is secure

Prabhjote Gill

Database completely secure, UIDAI assures

BI India Bureau

Rupee trades in narrow range against US dollar in early trade

PTI

After OYO, Sonu Sood picks Spice Money to be a brand ambassador ⁠— he will be advising the board too

Sanchita Dash

Aadhaar amendment bill has been passed in the Parliament — Eight things you must know

Preeti Soni

World Bank is impressed with Aadhaar programme; says beneficial for the world if widely adopted

BI India Bureau

Indian government portal leaks 8.9mn Aadhaar details, again

Prabhjote Gill