Ajay Bhushan Pandey, chief executive officer of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) told the Supreme Court that there is not a single breach of data in last seven years from the Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR). CIDR manages and stores data for India’s Aadhaar project.
During the powerpoint presentation, it was submitted that UIDAI did not “collect emotions, likes/dislikes or pull out data” of individuals. Even Aadhaar didn’t collect any information about the reason or location from where the request was being made.
This all came out during the hearing against Aadhar scheme considering it constitutional and legal validity. Ajay Bhushan Pandey told a five-judge bench led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra that reports about data leaks were exaggerated. If there is any leak in data then that would only because of carelessness of user agencies or authenticating agencies. To prevent data from leak, Aadhaar software is constantly upgraded. He further added that “Aadhaar” is purpose-blind.
When is biometrics shared?
If there was a national security threat then only fingerprints and iris scans were only shared. For this, consent at the Cabinet Secretary level is required. While sharing demographic Aadhaar details like name, gender, date of birth and place would require the consent of the district judge.
Apex Court said to it would continue to hear the government’s defence of the scheme on 3 April.
