UIDAI Claims Data Is Safe Despite Reports Of Aadhaar Pdf Being Available On Google Search

It seems like Aadhaar, the world's largest biometric database cannot find itself away from news, for all the wrong reasons again and again. The latest to rock the massive project is an alleged data leak online, where a simple google search will give personal details of millions of aadhaar card holders.

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A simple search on google for "mera aadhar meri pehchan filetype.pdf" will lead anyone to various sites where users had uploaded their aadhaar information.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) the nodal agency behind the project has however rejected the media reports of data breach.

In a series of tweets UIDAI said "Publication of Aadhaar cards by some people have absolutely no bearing on UIDAI and not the least on Aadhaar security. Aadhaar as an identity document by its very nature needs to be shared openly with others as and when required and asked for. Aadhaar just like any other identity document, therefore, is never to be treated as a confidential document. Although Aadhaar has to be shared with others, it being a personal information like mobile number, bank account number, PAN card, passport, family details, etc, should be ordinarily protected to ensure privacy of the person."

This is the second major embarrassment for UIDAI this week when it comes to Aadhaar data safety.

Earlier a French security expert who goes under the pseudonym 'Elliot Alderson' (@fs0c131y) had exposed vulnerabilities of Aadhaar. He claimed he found almost 20,000 Aadhaar cards on the internet within three hours. The UIDAI, however, dismissed the claim in its usual fashion.

He also posted another video on twitter where he was able to hack the official aadhaar app on android in a matter of one minute.