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Aadhaar vs Privacy: Two warnings from the US

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Aadhaar-PAN linkage: Finance ministry exempts residents of 3 states, the elderly, foreign citizens

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As the recent social security number hack, which exposed the data of 6,000 clients, demonstrates, leaks can spring from the unlikeliest of sources and, given the size of India’s population—plus the fact that UIDs are to be linked to tax returns and bank accounts, a much larger threat hangs on the citizen’s money as well as their security

By Sujit Bhar

The Aadhaar versus privacy issue that has been raging in India has had two warning echoes from the US. Both are scary, and if placed in the backdrop, the possibility of Aadhaar’s unique identity privacy breach doesn’t seem just a conspiracy theory any more.

The huge biometric database that the government of India is forming with the entire population of India coming under the umbrella can come out from strange sources, as the US example says.

Forbes has reported on May 10 that 6,000 Social Security Numbers (SSN) of American clients were unintentionally exposed by a London-based business finance provider firm that helps its clients bypass the banking system and hence its several  paraphernalia, to link with peer-to-peer funding. But the missing link and the expose came from another source, said Forbes. The company has admitted that “a misconfigured Amazon Web Services database exposed more than 13 million marketing email addresses for individuals,” Forbes reported.

SSNs in the US are an all-encompassing database that includes a huge number of data on the person, starting from tax returns to his security details and more. Details of all this will be available to anybody who can use these numbers on special networks (such as the police or the NSA) and may be able to use such data to adversely affect the person’s credibility and even security.

Aadhaar, will have, over and above, biometric details of the person, which are very critical in as far as security goes. With Aadhaar now being linked to PAN, tax filings would be within the grasp of a hacker, so will bank account details and whatever else comes within the purview of the UID.

Of the huge database glitch, Forbes says: “Additionally, private data sets Funding Circle had purchased from third parties and credit agencies including Dun & Bradstreet, Experian and Powerlytics were left open.” Which means anybody who wanted to get data about these people need not even be hackers. It was being served on a platter to whosoever wanted to get hold of such information.

The scariest part of the entire episode was that the clients themselves had no hand in the breach, and it did not even happen at any place where they may have expected it to, such as their home computers or the IRS of the US.

With the internet’s extensive reach, such data from Aadhaar could also land with terrorists, who can use any identity to cover their tracks.

In another story, that appeared in Mashable, it was announced that all American airports would soon have face scanning as a must. This presents another set of data hacking opportunities. While the entire exercise is laudable for its intent, any auxiliary intent could be counter-productive, to say the least.

More importantly, a face scan means that this data will have biometric information, which is more critical. Biometric data is possibly the best way of identification these days and Aadhaar has such information in plenty.  One biometric scan in any airport anywhere in the world would leave an Indian citizen open to scams.

There is need for a lot of caution regarding collecting public data and in a country as disorganised as India, this should be treated even more carefully.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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