UIDAI thinks info on fake Aadhaar cards may affect national security
June 11, 2017  14:49
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The Unique Identification Authority of India has refused to share information on cases of fake and duplicate Aadhaar cards, saying the disclosure might affect national security, or can lead to incitement of an offence.

Replying to a right to information query by a PTI correspondent, the UIDAI, which issuesthe card, also denied to give details of action it has taken in such cases.

It said, the UIDAI's Central Identities Data Repository facilities, information assets, logistics and infrastructure and dependencies, have been classified as 'Protected System', under the Section 70(1) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

"Any disclosure of the UIDAI grievance database, which essentially forms a part of the UIDAI CIDR operations, therefore, would have an impact on national security, strategic, scientific and economic interest of the state etc," the UIDAI said in response to the RTI application.

It was asked to provide details related to the cases of duplicate and fake Aadhaar cards received by the UIDAI, and action taken on them.

The information sought would fall under Section 8(a) ofthe RTI Act, and therefore, it is denied, the UIDAI said.

The section bars information 'disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India,the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the state, relation with foreign state or lead to incitement of an offence'.

Further, the format in which information is held by the UIDAI, contains identity details which, if divulged, may be prone to identity-theft etc, the authority said.

The Aadhaar card carries 12-digit unique identification number. The card acts as a proof of identity and address. There have been a few complaints against certain unauthorised websites for promising Aadhaar-related services.

At least eight FIRs have been filed by police against asmany unauthorised websites for promising such services. -- PTI
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