In a fresh development to UIDAI row, it seems that Google stored UIDAI helpline number in mobile phones on the directive of the UPA government. In a letter dated back on August 8, 2013, the Department of Telecommunications had said, “All telecom providers are directed to take necessary action to map short code 1947 to new toll free number 1800-300-1947 with immediate effect and send the compliance report to UIDAI directly.” Kapil Sibal headed the ministry at that time. Five years later, this move of the UPA government caused a great misunderstanding and confusion among the mobile phone users of the nation.
However, Google in its response claimed that it had happened ‘inadvertently’. The statement issued by Google reads, “Our internal review has revealed that in 2014, the then UIDAI helpline number and the 112 distress helpline number were inadvertently coded into the setup wizard of the Android release given to OEMs (Original equipment manufacturers) for use in India and has remained there since. Since the numbers get listed on a user’s contact list these get transferred accordingly to the contacts on any new device.” Google apologized for the same and further said, “We are sorry for any concern that this might have caused, and would like to assure everyone that this is not a situation of an unauthorized access of their Android devices. Users can manually delete the number from their devices.” It also said that it will work towards fixing this in an upcoming release of SetUp wizard which will be made available to OEMs over the next few weeks.”
While the directive did not directly ask Google but the timing of the letter to telecom providers and Google by default storing UIDAI helpline number in mobile phones is suspicious.
The whole controversy erupted last week when some people on social media outraged over the default inclusion of UIDAI’s toll-free number in their phone contact list. People thought their phones were hacked, and the opposition came up with much more advance thought, they ended up concluding that Aadhaar database was hacked.
After several complaints were made regarding the issue, UIDAI on Friday released a statement clarifying that they have not asked “any manufacturer or service provider for providing any such facility whatsoever.”
After the UIDAI’s statement, telecom lobby group, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) also released a statement, saying, “The inclusion of a certain unknown number in the phone books of various mobile handsets is not from any telecom service provider.”
Later on, as already mentioned above, Google also came out with a clarification to clear the misunderstanding among the outraged mobile phone users.
However, it is disheartening to see that those who issued the directives five years ago are today turning around and creating misunderstanding, confusion and spreading apprehensions about the Aadhaar. The opposition is trying its level best to defame Aadhaar, but all their attempts have abjectly failed including the recent one. Last week, TRAI chief RS Sharma exposed the hollowness of the arguments of critics against Aadhaar card.
It has now become a ritual to make a mountain out of a molehill. Before, the 2019 General Elections, opposition is trying its level best to project any non-issue as a serious attention-worthy cause to target the incumbent government. It has become a pattern, first, they start a fire and then blame someone else for it down the line be it the Kashmir problem, the Rafale deal or anything else.
