UIDAI denies biometric breach, says Aadhaar details safe and secure

New Delhi: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on Thursday rubbished a news report that claimed to access entire Aadhaar database for Rs 500. The UIDAI said that the Tribune’s news report was not true and claimed that no biometric data has been breached.“Tribune’s Story “Rs 500, 10 minutes, and you have access to billion Aadhaar details” is a case of mis-reporting. No biometric data breach”, UIDAI tweeted.Earlier in the day, the Tribune reported that an unidentified group in Whatsapp offered Aadhaar details from the database of UIDAI. The reporter claimed she obtained login details of UIDAI from this group by paying just Rs 500 through Paytm. 

Once you had access to UIDAI data- base, the report said “you could enter any Aadhaar number in the portal, and instantly get all particulars that an individual may have submitted to the UIDAI including name, address, postal code (PIN), photo, phone number and email.”The report also claimed that Aadhaar printing software has been accessed for just Rs 300. However, the UIDAI said some persons had misused demographic search facility, which was given to designated officials to help residents who had lost Aadhaar/Enrollment slip to retrieve their details. 

“There has not been any data breach of biometric database which remains fully safe & secure with the highest encryption at UIDAI and mere display of demographic info cannot be misused without biometrics”, tweeted the authority.The UIDAI said that it maintains a complete log and tracibility of the facility and any misuse is traceable. “Legal action taken, including FIR against persons involved. Search facility gives limited access to name and other details and has no access to biometric details”, it said. (UNI)