UIDAI clarifies controversy on “mysterious toll free number”, says it’s not a valid Aadhaar helpline

New Delhi, August 4: Refuting reports of controversy around the placement of its toll-free number in users' phonebooks across India, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) said it is not a valid Aadhaar Helpline number as they have not stated any such guidelines.

After reports of UIDAI’s invalid toll-free number mysteriously making its way to smartphones in India surfaced online, UIDAI has officially stated that it has not issued any such guidelines.

UIDAI added that 18003001947 is no longer a valid toll-free number and that it was changed to 1947 two years ago. The authority in tweets mentioned that media reports claim the toll-free number is on Android smartphones, however, we have spotted the inclusion of 1-800-300-1947 on both Android and iPhone handsets. Notably, we have not been able to spot the inclusion of the new toll-free number - 1947.

 

This is the second time in a few days that UIDAI has had to offer a clarification for an issue related to Aadhaar. On this occasion, users asked the Aadhaar regulator why the updated Aadhar number was saved in their phone book without their knowledge.

 

UIDAI has speculated that a third-party with a "vested interest" is allegedly trying to sow "unwarranted confusion in the public." It has not named this third-party, but specified that it has not asked any manufacturer or service provider to place the number in users' phonebooks.

 

However, UIDAI has now clearly mentioned that the number discovered by individuals on their phone is not a valid Aadhaar helpline number, adding that some malicious entities are trying to defame Aadhaar.

 

UIDAI had said that people should "refrain from publicly putting their Aadhaar numbers on the Internet and social media and posing challenges to others". UIDAI also warned that doing Aadhaar authentication through somebody else's Aadhaar number or using someone else's Aadhaar number for any purpose may amount to impersonation and thereby a criminal offence under the Aadhaar Act and Indian Penal Code. Any person indulging in such acts or abetting or inciting others to do so makes themselves liable for prosecution and penal action under the law. Therefore people should refrain from such acts, it added.