Woman Complains Of Aadhaar Getting Linked To 9 Mobile No. Without Her Knowledge, UIDAI Replies, “Now You Know’’

“Link your Aadhaar with your mobile no. to stay active.’’

This is the message Airtel has been flashing for months. For days now, telecom companies have been asking their customers almost in a threatening tone to link their Aadhaar with their phone no., if not done, they will end their service. The fear is so much that even Bangalore’s Project director of UIDAI was not spared. His sim was deactivated saying the proprietor had not registered the SIM to their Aadhaar cards. This despite the Supreme Court extending the deadline to link Aadhaar with all services to March 2018.

But many are ready to link to not face short-term inconveniences. A Twitter user was up for a surprise when she went to airtel store to link her Aadhaar with her phone number, she got to know that her Aadhaar is already linked to nine phone numbers which she never approved of. She raised the issue on Twitter, tagging airtel and UIDAI.

https://twitter.com/PRIYARD/status/953228848388124672

The reply she got from UIDAI, the authority responsible for any issue related to Aadhaar was even more surprising – “At least the Aadhaar holder knows how many mobiles are linked to his/her Aadhaar number. In such cases, one can complain against the mobile company to TRAI or TERM cell of DOT for fraudulently issuing SIM against their Aadhaar Number.”

At least the Aadhaar holder knows how many mobiles are linked to his/her Aadhaar number. In such cases one can complain against the mobile company to TRAI or TERM cell of DOT for fraudulently issuing SIM against their Aadhaar Number. 1/3

— Aadhaar (@UIDAI) January 21, 2018

In earlier system, there was no way of knowing how many hundred of SIM cards were issued on the basis of identity documents submitted by a person without their knowledge. 3/3

— Aadhaar (@UIDAI) January 21, 2018

In earlier system, there was no way of knowing how many hundred of SIM cards were issued on the basis of identity documents submitted by a person without their knowledge. 3/3

— Aadhaar (@UIDAI) January 21, 2018

Later on, Airtel replied to her stating that her Aadhaar is only connected to one phone no. and the user said that she has got a message stating that there was software coding glitch from Airtel which they are trying to resolve.

Thank you for your patience. We confirm that there is only one connection in your name. No mobile number is linked to your Aadhaar number. We will resolve your concern as per our discussion with you. Thank you, Nitin

— Bharti Airtel India (@Airtel_Presence) January 22, 2018

This is the latest update from Airtel. According to them, there's been no data breach/leak/theft of Aadhaar!
The message i received was an Airtel software coding glitch which they are trying to resolve! https://t.co/GUczDnetnd

— P R D (@PRIYARD) January 22, 2018

We had a conversation with Airtel. They confirmed that they contacted you and you told them to contact you after 25 Jan. 1/2 @PMOIndia @OfficeOfRSP @rajeev_mp @FinMinIndia @MirrorNow

— Aadhaar (@UIDAI) January 21, 2018

Considering the urgency of the matter, pls share your Airtel mob. no. and other details like the Airtel service centre where you visited for linking/ verification of your mobile no. This will help in nabbing the culprits. 2/2 @ceo_uidai @ndtv

— Aadhaar (@UIDAI) January 21, 2018

Since the past few months, UIDAI has adamantly been on the stand that Aadhaar doesn’t have any loopholes and it cannot be breached. But people have been facing issues/inconveniences due to faultiness in the application of Aadhaar.