The government cannot have any foolproof system to secure such a large
amount of data from hackers who devise more innovative ways by the day.
2017 saw several controversies and a lot of confusion on linking of the
12-digit Aadhaar number with various
government services. Clarity was scarce as the government kept linking schemes
to Aadhaar without making it mandatory as the Supreme
Court admitted and heard petitions against the government.
In 2018, the Supreme Court will decide several petitions before it on
making Aadhaar mandatory for government services and the overarching matter of
citizens' right to privacy. The Court has refused to put a freeze on Aadhaar
linkages. As the status quo continues, the government has increased the number
of services linked to Aadhaar. The Supreme Court has extended the deadline for
Aadhaar linkage to services such as Permanent Account Number, bank account and
mobile phone number to March 31, 2018.
If the court gives a go-ahead to the mandatory linkages of Aadhaar, it
will become the most important identity proof of an Indian, the one number that
opens all the government doors. While it will create efficiencies and make the
government faster, it can also make a large number of people vulnerable to
cyber crime. The government cannot have any foolproof system to secure such a
large amount of data from hackers who devise more innovative ways by the day.
However, Aadhaar will make the dream of digital India come
true as citizens can easily connect with the government online. A digital
identity for every Indian holds a revolutionary potential for governance. It
can bring transparency and literally root out corruption at several levels. A
verdict on the right privacy that goes in favour of the government may embolden
it to use the Aadhaar details for several purposes including criminal probes.
If the Court doesn't permit mandatory linking of Aadhaar with government
services, that won't spell the end of Digital India dream. Most probably, the
government will find innovative ways to persuade people to get an Aadhaar
identity and link it to government schemes voluntarily. Most of the Indian have
already registered for Aadhaar. The government can even incentivise the Aadhaar
linkages.
However, the Court might allow mandatory Aadhaar linkages for a few
services. In June, the Court had upheld Section 139AA of the Income Tax Act,
saying that the new provision that made Aadhaar mandatory for income tax
assessees was not in violation of the fundamental right to equality or to
practice one's profession or trade.
In any case, Aadhaar is going to be the cornerstone of governance in
2018, and the very basis of your life. Even private sector has started asking
for the Aadhaar details. Recruiters in private companies have already started
using Aadhaar to verify candidates while hiring them. Facebook wants you to use
your Aadhaar while creating a new account. It is testing a new feature which
encourages those opening new accounts to submit their names as in their Aadhaar
cards.
Source:ET
