In a day when Twitter was abuzz with news of Aadhaar data available for Rs 500, Netflix India joined the conversation. It basically tweeted a clip from its hit show Black Mirror, with a twist to imply how Aadhaar is becoming a surveillance medium.
For the uninitiated, Netflix's Black Mirror is about a dystopian future where often tech goes rogue with catastrophic effect. Hang the DJ, which the fourth episode in Season 4 of Black Mirror though doesn't have a tragic ending. In true Black Mirror style, the lead characters Frank and Amy have a happy ending, 99.8% of the time. They hook up with each other, using a 'system', which gives an accurate expiry date of the relationship right in the beginning.
The clip tweeted by Netflix India shows Frank wanting to know the expiry date of their relationship. It is a focal point of the episode, and a massive twist awaits the readers. However, here it shows that Frank needs Aadhaar data to access further information. In a way, Netflix India equated Aadhaar card with the all powerful 'system' in Black Mirror, which collects data from relationships and finally gives the eventual life-partner.
Increasingly, the government is looking to link Aadhaar with virtually all services. Currently SC is hearing a case regarding constitutionality of Aadhaar. Many activists have alleged that government may use Aadhaar as a mass surveillance device and Netflix India merely echoed their sentiments.
The tweet immediately won the internet and many people applauded Netflix India for their topical post.
However, not too long back Netflix USA was in controversy for its tweet revealing viewing pattern of some customers. Many wandered exactly how much data does Netflix possess and how are they using it.
UIDAI refutes allegations:
The UIDAI today dismissed reports of full Aadhaar details being made available on payment of Rs 500 by anonymous sellers, asserting that its system is "secure" and any misuse can be traced and action taken as it maintains complete log of various functions.
In a statement issued here, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) reiterated that there "has not been any Aadhaar data breach". "The Aadhaar data including biometric information is fully safe and secure," UIDAI claimed.The statement comes amid news reports that anonymous sellers were offering unrestricted access to Aadhaar details for Rs 500 over WhatsApp.
The Aadhaar-issuing body said it has given the "search facility" for grievance redressal to designated personnel and state government officials to help residents, that too only upon entering their Aadhaarnumber. "UIDAI maintains complete log and traceability of the facility and any misuse can be traced and appropriate action taken. The reported case appears to be instance of misuse of the grievance redressal search facility," it claimed.
UIDAI said since it maintains full log and traceability of the facility, legal action including FIR against the persons involved in the case, is being initiated. UIDAI said even its grievance redressal search facility offers only limited access to name and other details and "has no access to biometric details". "...there has not been any data breach of biometric database which remains fully safe and secure with highest encryption at UIDAI and mere display of demographic information cannot be misused without biometrics," it said.
At the same time, UIDAI said Aadhaar number is not a secret number, and is to be shared with authorised agencies whenever an Aadhaar holder wants to avail a service or benefit of government welfare schemes. "Also, mere availability of Aadhaar number will not be a security threat or will not lead to financial/other fraud, as for a successful authentication, fingerprint or iris scan of individual is also required," UIDAI said adding that "claims of bypassing or duping the Aadhaar enrolment system are totally unfounded".
With agency inputs
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