Axe Aadhar tie-up with US firm

The CPI-M Thursday described as "a matter of deep concern" that a US company with CIA links was providing software to manage the data base for the registration of Aadhar scheme.

"The report that the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has tied up with a US company with CIA links is a matter of deep concern," the Communist Party of India-Marxist said.

According to a published report, a US company, MongoDB, was providing the software to manage the data base for Aadhar's registration. "One of the investors in this company is the CIA," the CPI-M said in a statement.

Earlier too, the UIDAI entered into contracts with the US-based company L-1 Identity Solutions and a French company for the Aadhar project, the party said.

"The collection of personal data and biometrics of all Indian citizens through the Aadhar programme has been made available to the US agencies through the employment of these companies.

"It is now known through the Snowden files that the US authorities have been suborning all data through US telecom and internet companies.

"The Indian government and the UIDAI has compromised the vital data collected of Indian citizens by such tie-ups," it said.

"The UIDAI collection of data has no legal basis. It is also being used illegally to make the Aadhar number compulsory for delivery of social services and subsidies."

The CPI-M demanded the cancellation of the tie-up with foreign companies and a suspension of the Aadhar scheme till parliament deliberates and decides on its future and, if required, a legislative enactment.