Protest against access to Aadhar biometrics granted to mobile company

Thiruvananthapuram: The Mahatma Gandhi National Foundation, Palai, has protested against a private mobile service provider being given access to biometric information collected during Aadhar registration.

Noting that the government had responsibility to keep personal information confidential, Foundation Chairman Ebi J. Jose said that an enquiry should be ordered into the access granted to the mobile company in inexplicable manner.

The authorities should clarify why such access was granted when identification card, photo and address proof were enough for giving a mobile connection. The company could now generate personal data once the applicant gives his Aadhar number and allow scanning of his iris or finger print. Other companies were also planning to get hold of the data this way.

Mr. Jose said that permission granted to the telecom company to access Aadhar data was a serious breach of citizen’s rights and privacy. The permission granted should be cancelled retrospectively.