210 govt websites made public Aadhaar details: UIDAI

NEW DELHI: More than 200 central and state government websites publicly displayed details such as names and addresses of some Aadhaar beneficiaries, the Unique Identification Authority of India has said. The Aadhaar issuing body added, in response to an RTI query, that it took note of the breach and got the data removed from those websites. It did not specify when the breach took place. It said Aadhaar details have never been made public from/by UIDAI.

“However, it was found that approximately 210 websites of the central government, state government departments including educational institutes were displaying the list of beneficiaries along with their name, address, other details and Aadhaar numbers for information of the general public,” it said. The UIDAI took note and got the Aadhaar data removed from the said websites, it said in reply to the RTI application. UIDAI issues Aadhaar – a 12-digit unique identification number – which acts as a proof of identity and address anywhere in the country. The central government is in the process of making Aadhaar mandatory for people to avail benefits of various social service schemes. “UIDAI has a well-designed, multilayer approach robust security system in place and the same is being constantly upgraded to maintain the highest level of data security and integrity,” the RTI reply said.