Cyber expert slams Google, UIDAI for “breaching people’s privacy”

Cyber expert Pawan Duggal slammed Google and Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for "breaching people's privacy".

Duggal's move came after a number saved as UIDAI, without the users's knowledge mysteriously appeared on the devices of many Android phones.

"This is a complete violation of people's privacy. Indians are being treated as guinea pigs, their privacy is being trammeled, even after the Supreme Court declared the right to privacy as a fundamental right," he said.

Earlier, Google had clarified that an outdated UIDAI helpline number was "inadvertently coded" into Android devices, and was not an issue of "unauthorised access". The tech giant also apologised for the situation and said they would soon get the concern resolved.

The cybersecurity expert, however, claimed that Google's clarification was issued under media pressure.

"The press statement that Google released only appears to be a damage control statement issued under media pressure. There is nothing called inadvertence when Google does something, it is done as a part of a conscious deliberate action or in compliance with certain statutory norms," he noted.

After social media users went berserk over the sudden appearance of a helpline number from UIDAI, the organisation clarified that it had not asked or communicated to any manufacturer or service provider for providing any such facility whatsoever.

"UIDAI emphasised that the said 18003001947 is not a valid UIDAI Toll-free number and some vested interest are trying to create unwarranted confusion in the public," an official statement read.

However, Duggal accused UIDAI of maintaining "double standard", adding that it was the government of India who directed UIDAI to include the helpline number.

Featured Image: NDTV

(With inputs from ANI)