Govt cracks whip on a dozen of fake Aadhaar websites and mobile apps

In a massive crackdown onunauthorised agencies offering Aadhaar-related servicesillegally and charging excessive money from the public, UIDAIhas got shut down 12 such websites and 12 mobile appsavailable on the Google Playstore.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) hasfurther directed authorities for closure of another 26 suchfraudulent and illegal websites and mobile applications.

“Some websites and mobile apps were luring citizens toshare their basic information and Aadhaar number under thepretext of getting them Aadhaar card or offering other Aadhaarrelated services. We have taken strict action against them,” said UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey.

Emphasising that UIDAI has a zero tolerance to suchunauthorised websites and mobile applications, he said, “Wewill continue to keep our vigil on such websites and mobileapplications and if something comes to our notice, we willtake swift action including shutting them down, or go forother stricter measures,” he said.

More Read: UIDAI cracks down 50 fraud sites offering Aadhaar-related services illegally

At present, any Aadhaar-related demographic informationcan only be shared following the procedures laid down in theAadhaar Act, 2016.

Any violation is punishable under Section 38 and ChapterVII of the Aadhaar Act that provides punishment for “Whoever,not being authorised by the Authority, intentionally accessesor secures, downloads, copies or extracts any data from theCentral Identities Data Repository or stored in any removablestorage medium...”

In a statement, UIDAI said that these illegal websitesand mobile applications (downloadable through GooglePlaystore) were providing unauthorised Aadhaar-relatedservices such as downloading online Aadhaar card, providingstatus of Aadhaar generation, PVC (plastic) Aadhaar Card, toresidents. In the process, these agencies were illegallyobtaining the Aadhaar number and enrolment details from theresidents.

“UIDAI has not authorised the owners of these mobileapplications or websites to extend any Aadhaar-relatedservices on its behalf,” Pandey said in the statement.

Warning websites and mobile applications providersagainst illegal use of Aadhaar logo in violation of AadhaarAct and the Copyright Act, he said the authority iscontemplating stern action against them.

“As per Section 70 of the IT Act, the Government hasdeclared the UIDAIs Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR)facilities, Information assets, logistics infrastructure anddependencies installed at UIDAI locations to be criticallyprotected system,” he added.

www.uidai.gov.inis the only authorised website of UIDAI,the statement said adding that for Aadhaar related services,people should visit either the official website or authorisedCommon Service Centres or Aadhaar Permanent Enrolment Centres.