Is trai violating our privacy
Someone I know went to an Airtel office yesterday with a friend. Friend wanted to port from Vodafone to Airtel. The agent asked for an Aadhaar card.
Biometric verification through Aadhaar has been reintroduced by Airtel. The Agent’s app will definitely ask for Aadhaar, I’ve been told.
Apparently, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India allows this now. It has been 3 months since this has been happening.
Up until 2018 Aadhaar judgement, many companies, including Airtel made Aadhaar compulsory for any kind of service—procuring a new sim, portability, etc. Such a mandate was held unconstitutional by the court.
This seems to have been reintroduced, masked as voluntary-mandatory by the TRAI.
Provision exists for punishment in case of misuse of any personal data but this has to be made more harsh. The trials should be fast and justice delivered . Then only such crimes will be reduced.
Jul 22
TRAI has messed around more than done much public good on telecom or any other thing they are supposed to be regulating. They have messed with the TV and cable pricing making it way expensive and complex, paving its way for its decline. On the OTT front, they want to mess around now. As far as telecom is concerned, TRAIs DND doesnt work at all, they have no control over spam callers and abuse of mobile numbers. Now, every operator is asking for Aadhaar daat to provide a new connection. Its not limited to Airtel. Jio and Vi are also following the same policy and obviously TRAI has no qualms about it. Anti-social elements still get as many SIMs/mobile numbers they want and law enforcement agencies can do nothing about it. This is in sector where 100% tracking/validation of subscriber is easily possible by various other means!!
Jul 21
This is much needed to stop scamsters and criminals to buy SIM cards in lot and misuse it.
Jul 21
I don't know why such hue & cry on this issue when Aadhar card reference required by various agencies. We are ready to give Aadhar reference in income tax, banks, post offices, electricity, passport and for various visa issuing consulates, insurance (both private and public) whereas we are apprehensive to provide this to private operators. Though it is not mandatory, IRCTC in its web, has given option to update Aadhar. For example, in case of any offence by the mobile owner, it is easy to identify the culprits. We need to look at the larger perspectives. Risk is there in every field. Even with the tight security at borders how terrorists cross over the fence. Smuggling takes place with the current security at airports and sea ports. In US, social security number (SSN) is allotted to their citizens, green card and work permit holders which is widely used/referred across various areas. Culprits of such misuse, should be punished heavily forthwith in public so that fear phobia exists.
Jul 20
IF there is a judgment that says Adhar Card and/or Biometrics cannot be asked for by Telecom Companies and still being asked it is obviously illegal as well as contempt of court. Any one who is being asked such a thing should as for such demand in writing and take acknowledgement of the same. and then give a photo/copy of the same to Sonal Das and Circle to take it up with appropriate forum or Court as deemed fit. This is a serious matter and I think it should be taken up by the circle rather than any individual for taking it to conclusion.
Jul 20