Following Media reports of a massive data leak of Aadhar, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)  denied the media report published in The Tribune titled “Rs 500, 10 minutes, and you have access to billion Aadhaar details” and has said that it is a case of misreporting. UIDAI assured that there has not been any Aadhaar data breach. “The Aadhaar data including biometric information is fully safe and secure” says the release .

In a statement issued today UIDAI said that UIDAI has given the said search facility for the purpose of grievance redressal to the designated personnel and state government officials to help residents only by entering their Aadhaar number/EID. The  UIDAI maintains complete log and traceability of the facility and any misuse can be traced and appropriate action taken. The reported case appears to be instance of misuse of the grievance redressal search facility. As UIDAI maintains complete log and traceability of the facility, the legal action including lodging of FIR against the persons involved in the instant case is being done.

According to report titled Rs 500, 10 minutes, and you have access to billion Aadhaar details, The Tribune made a payment of Rs 500 via an e-payment brand to an “agent who created a gateway for the correspondent” to enter any Aadhaar number and get all particulars submitted to the UIDAI by the individual. The report added that the investigating team paid another Rs 300 to access the software that would facilitate in printing any Aadhaar card.

The report claimed that, when briefed, the UIDAI officials in Chandigarh expressed shock over the incident and “admitted that it seemed to be a major national security breach.” “Except the Director-General and I, no third person in Punjab should have a login access to our official portal. Anyone else having access is illegal, and is a major national security breach,” Sanjay Jindal, the Additional Director-General, UIDAI Regional Centre, Chandigarh, was quoted as saying by The Tribune.

UIDAI reiterates that the grievance redressal search facility gives only limited access to name and other details and has no access to biometric details. The release said “UIDAI reassures that there has not been any data breach of biometric database which remains fully safe and secure with highest encryption at UIDAI and mere display of demographic information cannot be misused without biometrics”.

Further, the release highlights that Aadhaar number is not a secret number. It is to be shared with authorized agencies whenever an Aadhaar holder wishes to avail certain service or benefit of government welfare scheme/s or other services.