Days after Aadhaar helpline number was found pre-installed in many phones resulting in massive outrage, UIDAI has come out with a detailed statement. Initially, UIDAI was blamed for the installing of the number before Google came out with a clarification that it was an error in their part and they had hard-coded the number in Android phones.
Aadhaar body UIDAI has said in a statement, " In view of the attempts by few Aadhaar opponents to spread rumours and scare mongering against Aadhaar in the backdrop of appearance of an old Aadhaar helpline number in mobile phones, it may be noted that the Google has clarified that UIDAI’s old contact number 18003001947 was added by it “inadvertently” along with police/fire number 112 in 2014 and has since been continuing through sync mechanism. "
The statement further says, " It (Google) has also expressed its regret for the same. Google has also assured that it will fix this inadvertent error in their next release and stated that the users may, if they wish, can delete the number. UIDAI had earlier clarified and emphasised that it had not asked any agency whatsoever to include its helpline number in the mobile phones. "
UIDAI urged Google to be cautious so that such incidents don't happen in the future. But at the same time, UIDAI hit out at 'vested interests who tried to misuse Google’s “inadvertent” act as an opportunity to spread rumours and go around fear-mongering against Aadhaar." It reiterated that deleting the number from contact list won't do any harm. Also it emphasised that, " just by a helpline number in a mobile’s contact list the data stored on the mobile phone cannot be stolen. Therefore, there should be no panic to delete the number as no harm will be caused. Rather people may, if they so wish, update it with UIDAI’s new helpline number 1947".
It also further stressed upon the fact that Aadhaar data is completely secure and cautioned people to 'stay away from malicious campaign by vested interests'. UIDAI urged people from ' forwarding or circulating false and baseless rumours' on social media.
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