UIDAI: No Aadhaar data breach using app made by Ola techie

Mumbai: The Unique Identification Authority of India has refuted reports that massive Aadhaar data were breached through an app developed by a Bengaluru-based techie employed with ride-hailing app Ola. UIDAI also clarified that there had not been any incidence of compromise over individuals' privacy as it was being widely reported.

The Bengaluru Crime Branch had arrested software engineer Abhinav Srivastav (31) who was working at Ola's head office in Koramangala after UIDAI filed a complaint against him and Qarth Technologies. Qarth was bought by Ola in March in 2016. Srivastav was taken into custody for misusing Aadhaar data downloaded from UIDAI website without authentication.

Ajay Bhushan Pandey who is chief executive officer of UIDAI said that residents were downloading their own demographic data, according to a report on The Economic Times. He added that the allegations of violation of privacy were not true as people stored data related to their own name, address, gender etc, through this application.

“No one could not get data of any other person through this app. Even though residents were downloading their own demographic data such as name, address etc , yet legal actions were initiated against the owner of the App since it was not authorized to provide such services to people and such acts are criminal offence punishable action as per Aadhaar Act, 2016. It is further reiterated that data of not even a single non-consenting resident has been given by UIDAI through this App,” ET quoted Pandey as saying.

Pandey also placated apprehensions and said that Aadhaar data were safe and secure. He appealed to the people to not disclose their Aadhaar number to any unknown websites or apps or persons on phone.

The complaint against Srivastav and Qarth Technologies was filed on July 26 with the High Ground Police station which after registration transferred the case to Cyber Crime investigation cell. Fearing for his arrest,  Srivastav had gone underground but was found by police who then arrested him.