The purported inference by WikiLeaks that the CIA might have obtained Aadhaar data by using tools devised by the US based technology provider Cross Match Technologies, albeit by the intelligence network of a friendly country has come as a rude shock and a bolt from the devilish blues for especially the people of India who have conformed to subject themselves to the UIDAI developed system of identity that incorporates bio-metrics such as finger prints as well as iris scan. Assuming this to have taken place, reinforcement of measures should be put in place to protect Aadhaar data.
This revelation has given credence to the fact that rogue elements within the CIA, could use Aadhaar data to malign and gain access to not only the Aadhaar data, which the government had promised would be fool-proof, but also all other Aadhaar-linked services such as Bank Accounts and availing of centrally as well as state sponsored welfare schemes because, the large-scale compromising of Aadhaar data could jeopardise the objectives of its very concept and instead of being a positive aspect could become a negative aspect that threatens to the breaking-in of individual accounts leading to pilferage and disorderly intrusion, thus jeopardising the secure status of essential accounts of the people of India.
The Supreme Court earlier had pronounced verdict that Aadhaar bio-metrics would only be broken into in case of criminal conduct of the individual. However, the Centre without realising the risk that it was taking without comprehensive ruling by the SC has made Aadhaar mandatory for linking with the PAN cards thus in case of a major hacking or cyber-attack making this linking susceptible to breaking into and thus without committing to its security.
The Wanna Cry attack had been a warning that large-scale hacking in the hands of rogue but powerful masterminds with devious intentions could cause havoc of unprecedented scale. Now this revelation has instilled fear in the minds of the proponents of the UIDAI, that vulnerability of data in the Aadhaar could have back-fired and thus disrupt a system thought to be fool-proof and technologically and professionally sophisticated. Can India live up to the task of being able to secure its computerised data so that no devious mastermind hacker can violate or penetrate it? This recent revelation has thrown a challenge to the authorities, who have to work overtime to secure a system they thought would secure things within India but have now been compromised by another country.
The reasoning behind the CIA hacking of Aadhaar data is that it is essential to them since thousands of Indians seek to go to the USA for tourism, studies and employment and that if their Aadhaar data is in their possession it could help them to track on those committing crime or breaking the law of the US. So the US, for themselves by obtaining this data, is securing their causes but India is jeopardising the sacrosanct motive of the Aadhaar, but unable to secure it has given it away by making it vulnerable to hacking. This is the case of a motive to control turning into one that can be disrupted
