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.
‘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.
‘UIDAI has a well-designed, multi-layer 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.
The architecture of the Aadhaar ecosystem has been designed to ensure data security and privacy which is an integral part of the system from the initial design to the final stage, it said.
‘Various policies and procedures have been defined, these are reviewed and updated continually thereby appropriately controlling and monitoring any movement of people, material, and data in and out of UIDAI premises, particularly the data centres,’ the UIDAI said.
It said security audits are conducted on a regular basis to further strengthen security and privacy of data. Besides this, all possible steps are taken to make the data safer and protected, the authority said.
source: goodreturns.in
