Private companies cannot insist on Aadhaar data, says Supreme Court

A group of private companies had earlier this year appealed to the apex court seeking continuity for Aadhaar - the country’s citizen identity programme.

FILE PIC/AFP.

New Delhi: In a vital ruling. the Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down Section 57 of Aadhaar Act permitting private entities to avail Aadhaar data. Justice Sikri struck down Section 57 of Aadhaar Act permitting private entities to avail Aadhaar data and ruled that Aadhaar authentication data cannot be stored for more than six months. This means private companies from now on cannot demand Aadhaar data, so can't phone and bank companies. "Allowing private players to use Aadhaar will lead to profiling which could be used to ascertain political views of citizens," said Justice Chandrachud. He said the Aadhaar project has failed to remedy the flaws in its design, leading to exclusion. Allowing private players to use Aadhaar will lead to profiling, which could be used to ascertain the political views of citizens, the judge, who pronounced his separate verdict, reportedly said. Aadhaar, which uses iris scans and fingerprints, was initially meant for those who depend on government subsidies. But several government departments, companies, agencies and even private companies see Aadhaar as the most secure ID proof. A group of private companies had earlier this year appealed to the apex court seeking continuity for Aadhaar - the country’s citizen identity programme.