Edward Snowden: Journalist must be awarded, exposed Aadhaar data breach

The Tribune has tracked down people who were offering access Aadhaar data and reported its breach. However, The Tribune is being inquired of its action and an FIR is also filed against national daily reporter who exposed the flaws in Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) system. Even a warning was given to reporters, asking them not to report any such so-called 'wrong information of Aadhaar breach'. The UIDAI claimed that Aadhaar data is protected. The UIDAI filed a case against the journalist and three others named in her report, leading to widespread criticism.

American whistleblower Edward Snowden supported The Tribune and said that instead of an investigation, the journalist needed to be rewarded for exposing that the Aadhar data was not secure and could be obtained at a cost of only Rs 500.

In his tweet, the former United States government contractor, who has taken asylum in Russia, also suggested that action should rather be taken against UIDAI, the body that runs the Aadhaar programme.