Aadhaar data breach: UIDAI files FIR against ‘The Tribune’ journalist, draws flak

Criminal proceedings have been initiated against the ‘The Tribune’ journalist for gaining unauthorized access to the Aadhaar database. Photo: Priyanka Parashar/Mint

New Delhi: The Delhi police has registered a first investigation report (FIR) on a complaint by a deputy director of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) in connection with a newspaper report on the breach of details of the over 1 billion Aadhaar cards, naming the journalist behind the story.

UIDAI deputy director B.M. Patnaik informed the police that an input was received from The Tribune that the newspaper purchased a service being offered by anonymous sellers over WhatsApp that provided unrestricted access to details of any of the more than 1 billion Aadhaar numbers created in India, the police said Sunday. On January 5, a complaint was received from Patnaik and the FIR was registered the same day, they said.

The police was informed by the UIDAI official that the correspondent of The Tribune, posing as a buyer, had purchased the details. The FIR mentions the names of the journalist and the people the reporter reached out to purchase the Aadhaar data, but they have not been shown as accused, the police said. The police said that they will be questioned.

The UIDAI, however, has come under fire for filing the FIR, but said it respects free speech, including freedom of the press, and its police complaint should not be viewed as “shooting the messenger”. Its act should not be viewed as one targeting the media, the UIDAI said in a statement. Criminal proceedings, however, have been initiated against the The Tribune journalist as it was an act of unauthorized access.

The Congress, meanwhile, targeted the Centre over the UIDAI registering the FIR. The opposition accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of shooting the messenger instead of probing the matter. The Congress also raised questions over the “intentions” of the government on privacy issues.

“Intent, & ‘Intentions’ of Modi Govt on Privacy were thoroughly exposed when it had proclaimed that ‘no citizen can have an absolute right over his/her body’,” Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted. “In SC, Modi Govt had accepted Aadhaar data leak! Now instead of investigating, an evasive Modi ji shoots the messenger!” he said.

The Editors Guild Of India sought government intervention for the withdrawal of the case and called for an “impartial” investigation into the matter. Criticizing the lodging of the FIR, the guild said it was “deeply concerned” over reports that the UIDAI deputy director had registered a complaint in which the reporter of The Tribune has been named.