After UIDAI denied having added its helpline numbers on all Android phones, Google on Friday apologised for ‘inadvertently’ adding the old UIDAI helpline number and 112 helpline number into the ‘setup wizard’ of Android phones.
UIDAI had said in its statement on Friday that the number that people have claimed to be saving to their contacts is not a valid UIDAI helpline which remains as 1947.
Google has now said the numbers can be manually deleted from the phones while promising to fix the issue in future editions of its setup wizard.
Here’s the full statement of Google:
— Google India (@GoogleIndia) August 3, 2018
Google’s statement came after Aadhaar-issuing authority UIDAI had said it has not asked any phone maker or telecom service provider to include its toll-free number on mobile phones, as it tried to assuage user concerns relating to the invasion of privacy.
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Here’s the full statement issued by the UIDAI:
Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) today in the wake of some media reports on default inclusion of the UIDAI’s outdated and invalid Toll-free number 1800-300-1947 in the contact list of Android phones said that UIDAI has not asked or communicated to any manufacturer or service provider for providing any such facility whatsoever.
UIDAI emphasized 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. UIDAI’s 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.
The clarification came after reports surfaced that many Android-run mobile phones listed by default the Aadhaar helpline number 1800-300-1947.
Furthermore, the Cyber Security Cell of Maharashtra police issued an advisory late Friday evening, saying that if any number in the name of UIDAI has been automatically added to the mobile phone contacts, it should be deleted.
The helpline controversy has erupted days after TRAI chairman RS Sharma disclosed his Aadhaar number on Twitter, triggering a full-blown debate on social media over data breach threat.