P Chidambaram criticises new security layer

Raising questions over UIDAI's move to secure Aadhaar data by introducing virtual IDs, former finance minister P Chidambaram said the move was futile as millions of people have already shared their Aadhaar numbers with many service providers.

"Under compulsion, millions of persons have already shared Aadhaar number with many service providers. New security layer is like locking the stable after horses have bolted,"he said in a tweet.

The remarks of the senior Congress leader came amid a huge controversy over a report in a newspaper that alleged that Aadhaar data can be accessed through WhatsApp for a fee.

Later a case was registered against the newspaper reporter and others on the basis of a written complaint by the UIDAI.

On Wednesday, the UIDAI issued a circular providing an additional layer of protection to Aadhaar data by enabling Virtual IDs (VID), a 16-digit code that can be used in place of Aadhaar number.