Aadhaar 'helpline number' mysteriously enters mobile phones; UIDAI, COAI deny responsibility

Thousands of smartphone users in India woke up puzzled on Friday with a Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) toll-free helpline number saved in their phonebooks by default.

Photo for representational purpose only. AFP

NEW DELHI: Thousands of smartphone users in India woke up puzzled on Friday as an alleged 'helpline number' of UIDAI was saved in their phonebooks by default. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) both have distanced themselves from the number (1800-300-1947) that got into people's contacts list without their consent. "In the wake of some media reports on default inclusion of UIDAI’s outdated & invalid Toll free no. 1800-300-1947 in contact list of Android phones It is clarified that UIDAI has not asked or communicated to any manufacturer or service provider for providing any such facility whatsoever," the UIDAI said. "It is emphasised that the said 18003001947 is not a valid UIDAI Toll free number and some vested interest are trying to create unwarranted confusion in the public. Our valid Toll free number is 1947 which is functional for more than the last two years. "UIDAI has reiterated that it has not asked or advised anyone including any telecom service providers or mobile manufacturers or Android to include 18003001947 or 1947 in the default list of public service numbers," it added.

It is emphasised that the said 18003001947 is not a valid UIDAI Toll free number and some vested interest are trying to create unwarranted confusion in the public. 3/n

— Aadhaar (@UIDAI) August 3, 2018

Thousands of smartphone users in India woke up puzzled on Friday with a Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) 'toll-free helpline number' saved in their phonebooks by default. The COAI said the number was not pushed into mobile users' phonebook by any telecom operator.

The inclusion of a certain unknown number in the phonebooks of various mobile handsets is not from any telecom service provider. @airtelindia @VodafoneIN @reliancejio @ideacellular #UIDAI #CustomerFirst

— COAI (@ConnectCOAI) August 3, 2018

Amid heightened privacy concerns, many on social media, including former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and others, have questioned how the UIDAI helpline number had crept into their smartphone contact list.

अब लोगों के ऐंड्रॉइड मोबाइल फोन की कॉन्टेक्ट लिस्ट में उनकी मर्ज़ी के बिना ‘आधार कार्ड’ की हेल्पलाइन का नम्बर अवैध रूप से सेव हो गया है. इसका मतलब कुछ लोगों ने अापके फोन और उसकी सूचनाओं तक अपनी पहुंच बना ली है. इनमें वो लोग भी होगें, जो कहते हैं कि EVM पूरी तरह सुरक्षित है.

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) August 3, 2018

A French security expert, Elliot Alderson, asked UIDAI on Twitter: "Many people, with different providers, with and without an #Aadhaar card, with and without the mAadhaar app installed, noticed that your phone number is predefined in their contact list by default without their knowledge. Can you explain why?" "This is no joke as it is on my phone too. I didn't save this number. Check your phone asap, feeling worried," a user tweeted with a screenshot. Twitter was abuzz again with the new development after a huge uproar due to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Chairman R.S. Sharma's open Aadhaar challenge to critics and hackers. Sharma made a tweetstorm by sharing his 12-digit Aadhaar number on July 28. Ethical hackers exposed at least 14 personal details of the TRAI Chairman, including mobile numbers, home address, date of birth (DoB), PAN number and voter ID, among others. (With IANS inputs)