Highlights:
- Urgent Action Taken: The Indian government has swiftly blocked multiple websites leaking sensitive Aadhaar and PAN details to protect citizen privacy.
- Critical Security Flaws Identified: The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team discovered serious vulnerabilities on the implicated websites.
- Legal Steps Initiated: UIDAI has filed complaints regarding violations of the Aadhaar Act, addressing the public display of sensitive information.
New Delhi: In a proactive response to growing data security concerns, the Indian government has blocked several websites that were found to be leaking sensitive personal information, including Aadhaar and PAN Card details. This action was confirmed in an official statement released on Thursday.
Following an investigation by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, serious security vulnerabilities were identified on these websites. The government emphasized the importance of safeguarding personal data.
“It has come to the notice of MeitY that some websites were exposing sensitive personal identifiable information, including Aadhaar and PAN Card details. This has been taken up seriously, as the Government accords the highest priority to safe cyber security practices and the protection of personal data,” the statement read.
Additionally, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has initiated legal proceedings by filing complaints with the relevant police authorities. These complaints address violations of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, which prohibits the public display of Aadhaar information.
The CERT-In analysis highlighted various security vulnerabilities on the affected websites, and the owners have been advised on how to strengthen their ICT infrastructure to prevent future breaches.
This decisive action reflects the government’s commitment to protecting citizens’ personal information in an increasingly digital world, ensuring enhanced privacy and data security for all.