UIDAI shutdown fraud sites offering Aadhaar services

UIDAI shutdown fraud sites offering Aadhaar services

Question: Recently Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) directed authorities for the closure of how many fraud websites offering Aadhar services?
(a) 60
(b) 50
(c) 100
(d) 80
Ans. (c)
Related facts:

  • On 3 February 2016 Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has shut down 12 fraud websites offering Aadhar services and 12 mobile apps available on the Google Playstore.
  • The UIDAI has further directed authorities for the closure of another 26 such fraudulent and illegal websites and mobile applications.
  • It should be known that some websites and mobile apps were luring citizens to share their basic information and Aadhaar number under the pretext of getting them Aadhaar card or offering other Aadhaar related services.
  • At present, any Aadhaar-related demographic information can only be shared following the procedures laid down in the Aadhaar Act, 2016.
  • Any violation is punishable under Section 38 and Chapter VII of the Aadhaar Act that provides punishment for “Whoever, not being authorised by the Authority, intentionally accesses or secures, downloads, copies or extracts any data from the Central Identities Data Repository or stored in any removable storage medium.
  • These illegal websites and mobile applications (downloadable through Google Playstore) were providing unauthorised Aadhaar-related services such as downloading online Aadhaar card, providing the status of Aadhaar generation, PVC (plastic) Aadhaar Card, to residents. In the process, these agencies were illegally obtaining the Aadhaar number and enrolment details from the residents.
  • It should be noted that UIDAI has not authorised the owners of these mobile applications or websites to extend any Aadhaar-related services on its behalf.
  • Www.Uidai.Gov.In is the only authorised website of UIDAI.
  • The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is a central government agency of India.
  • Its objective is to collect the biometric and demographic data of residents, store them in a centralised database, and issue a 12-digit unique identity number called Aadhaar to each resident.
  • It is considered the world’s largest national identification number project.

Reference:
http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/uidai-clamps-down-on-50-fraud-sites-offering-aadhaar-services-117020300719_1.html
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/uidai-clamps-down-on-50-fraud-sites-offering-aadhaar-services/articleshow/56959864.cms