Sharing biometrics unsafe: Aadhaar opponents argued in Supreme Court

NEW DELHI: The government cannot ask citizens to part with sensitive biometric information to unknown private entities over which it exercises little control, as they could misuse the data, critics of Aadhaar argued in the Supreme Court on Thursday.

“The government does not even have a contract with these entities, neither does the UIDAI (that manages the data),” senior advocate Shyam Divan told the court, appearing for some of the petitioners who oppose the biometric ID system. “Data which is very, very personal goes to unknown entities. Where is the integrity of the data,” he asked.

While making his arguments before a five-judge bench, he pointed to a government statement in Parliament that the UIDAI blacklisted some 34,000 operators for issuing false cards. “What happens if you lose your Aadhaar, or it is not accepted or it can’t be accessed,” he asked.