Introduction
Aadhaar was primarily introduced to improve the distribution of social welfare benefits in India, ensuring that subsidies and benefits reach the intended recipients directly by linking these to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. This system also plays a significant role in promoting financial inclusion, particularly in rural and remote areas, where it has enabled millions to open bank accounts and access financial services. Furthermore, Aadhaar supports the Digital India initiative by enabling online authentication and e-signatures, thereby facilitating digital transactions and e-governance.
Despite its advantages, Aadhaar has faced criticism, especially concerning privacy and data security¹. The vast collection of biometric and demographic data has raised concerns about the potential misuse or unauthorized access to sensitive personal information, leading to fears of surveillance and profiling. In 2018, the Supreme Court of India upheld the constitutional validity of Aadhaar but imposed restrictions to protect privacy². Additionally, operational challenges such as enrollment difficulties, technical glitches, and biometric authentication errors have been reported, particularly in rural areas.
Major Concerns
Aadhaar’s significance lies in its vast data collection, making data security a crucial issue. The system has faced numerous security lapses, leading to data leaks and vulnerabilities³. For instance, unauthorized access to Aadhaar data has been reported, including an incident where Aadhaar card details were sold on WhatsApp for a nominal fee⁴. The widespread use of Aadhaar as a photo ID also raises concerns about its susceptibility to duplication or forgery.
Aadhaar and Public Distribution System (PDS)Aadhaar plays a role in the National Food Security Act (NFSA), ensuring food security by providing subsidized food grains to a large portion of the population. The system helps in accurately identifying beneficiaries and reducing fraud in food distribution.
However, the cybersecurity startup Technisanct has reported that the data of 3.1 crore individuals from the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department’s public distribution system has been breached and is being sold on a hacker forum. On June 26, 2021, the department’s website displayed a message stating it had been “hacked by 1945VN” before later indicating that it was under maintenance. The breached data reportedly includes details such as Aadhaar numbers, Makkal numbers, full names, father’s names, contact information, family details, and more.⁵
Apart from data leakage and fraud mandatory registration of Aadhaar has led to the exclusion of marginalized communities from properly accessing the resources.⁶
APAAR Initiative and Related Concern
In July 2023, the Ministry of Education introduced the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR)⁷ and the National Credit Framework (NCrF)⁷ as part of implementing the 2020 National Education Policy (NEP 2020). APAAR provides students with unique IDs linked to their Aadhaar numbers, serving as lifelong records of their educational achievements. The Ministry urged schools to promote APAAR ID creation and conduct parent-teacher meetings to inform parents and obtain consent. While APAAR aims to transform students’ academic journeys and streamline administrative processes, concerns have emerged regarding data collection, usage, storage, and sharing, particularly given the sensitive nature of children’s records. The initiative raises critical issues about data security and privacy, especially in its linkage to Aadhaar. The National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) was also established to explore technology’s role in enhancing education through NEP 2020.
Drawbacks of the APAAR Initiative
The APAAR initiative while, promising in its aim to digitize academic records and streamline educational processes, faces several drawbacks. Privacy concerns arise due to collecting and storing sensitive student data, potentially leading to unauthorized access or misuse⁸. Dependence on technology poses risks of system failures or cyberattacks, which could disrupt student records. The digital divide may also widen as not all students have equal access to the required technology or internet connectivity. Ensuring data accuracy and integrity is essential, yet errors in recording or updating student information may compromise the reliability of academic records. The cost of implementation could strain financial resources, particularly for smaller or underfunded educational institutions, while standardization challenges may hinder the comparability of academic records across institutions and regions. Addressing these challenges is vital for the successful implementation and equitable outcomes of the APAAR initiative.
Conclusion
Aadhaar has considerable potential to establish a digital infrastructure that supports social and financial transactions, offering a means of identification that includes previously marginalized individuals in welfare schemes. However, its effects on boosting employee productivity or reducing teacher absenteeism remain unclear. To truly serve as a transformative tool for enhancing transparency, Aadhaar must be accessible to all societal segments, regardless of urban or rural status or economic background. Addressing issues like connectivity and access to the Aadhaar server during transactions is essential to realizing its full potential.
Originally conceived to streamline processes and combat fraud, Aadhaar has strayed from its initial purpose, now posing a significant threat to users’ privacy rights and undermining the constitutional freedoms of Indian citizens. As a vital form of identification, Aadhaar significantly impacts individuals’ mobility, access to essential services, and their status as full citizens. Despite its original goals, the government’s persistent push for Aadhaar linkage overlooks its adverse effects, particularly on marginalized communities who struggle to engage with the program.
References
1. Is Your Privacy Safe with Aadhaar?: An Open. (IEEE, 2019).
2.Justice_K_S_Puttaswamy_Retd_Anr_vs_Union_Of_India_Ors_on_11_August_2015.
5. Data of 3.1 cr people leaked from TN PDS site says cyber firm, govt denies.
