India's Aadhaar citizen DB has reportedly been compromised, authorities deny that's the case
0India's Aadhaar citizen DB has reportedly been compromised, authorities deny that's the case.
Concerns about data security have been at an all-time high since the recent breach of credit reporting agency Equifax. However, it seems this kind of problems extend far beyond the United States' borders. According to a report by the Guardian, India's Aadhaar citizen information database has also been breached.
The Aadhaar citizen database contains particularly sensitive information like fingerprint and iris scan records in addition to names, phone numbers, emails and more. India's Tribune newspaper claims that they were able to enter an anonymous online WhatsApp group and pay a mere 500 rupees ($7.89) to gain entry to an account with access to this database.
Though the newspaper didn't clarify whether or not they were able to access such sensitive citizen information -- previously-mentioned fingerprint or iris scan records -- they have claimed that they were able to "get all particulars that an individual may have submitted to the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India)," including names, addresses, photos, etc. For an additional 300-rupee ($4.71) fee, the Tribune was also able to gain access to software that allows users to print out fake Aadhaar identification cards.
The newspaper informed UIDAI officials of the situation. "Except the Director-General and I, no third person in Punjab should have a login access to our official portal," said Sanjay Jindal, Additional Director-General of UIDAI's Regional Centre in a statement. "Anyone else having access is illegal, and is a major national security breach."