Websites leaking personal information, authorities have taken action

This decisive action follows a recent security breach identified by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In).

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has reiterated its commitment to protecting the privacy and security of citizens’ information in a recent announcement.

According to a statement from MeitY on Thursday, the Union government has taken steps to block numerous websites found to be disclosing sensitive personal information, including details from Aadhaar and PAN cards.

“Websites such as Indian Aerospace and Engineering, a Navi-Mumbai based institute which focuses on aircraft maintenance engineering, was one of the websites that was still leaking such Aadhaar data as on noon, September 26. The Star Kidz, an e-platform focusing on kids’ development, too was leaking Aadhaar details until September 25. The concerned URL in question has now been deactivated,” says information by moneycontrol.com.

The website also indicates that additional information is pending from these two authorities.

While the government opted not to disclose the specific names of the blocked websites, a brief online search reveals numerous platforms that offered access to personal data. Even after the government’s announcement, these sites remained operational.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has filed a police report against the operators of a website for violating the Aadhaar Act, which prohibits the public distribution of Aadhaar information.

This action by the UIDAI is part of the government’s efforts to strengthen cybersecurity measures and protect the privacy of Indian citizens.

The exposure of personal data can have serious consequences, making individuals vulnerable to online scams and identity theft. A recent incident involving Star Health Insurance highlighted the risks associated with data breaches.