Hitler finds mention in arguments

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed serious concern that the Aadhaar data information available to outside the world can even influence the outcome of elections.

He told the counsel, “Whether democracy can survive where Aadhaar data is used to influence the electoral outcome. We have seen this happening. What is the nature of safeguards available in the absence of data protection law? You must understand that the problems are not symptomatic but real.” Mr Diwedi submitted that the technology is advancing and we have limitations of understanding the technological developments.

Justice Chandrachud told the counsel, “merely because of limitations of knowledge we can’t have a blinkered view of reality; because we are going to lay down a law which will affect the future generation.”

Mr Diwedi submitted, “Please remove the fear and phobia created by petitioners of sharing of data once the requesting entity seeks authentication. Collection of data under Aadhaar is not an atomic bomb. Authentication is an algorithm which is one to one and there is no question of sharing of information with anyone.”

He said the moment the data collected by requesting entities for authentication is submitted, it is encrypted and there is no possibility of leakage.