UID security concerns legitimate: Nilekani

New Delhi, Sept. 13 There is “legitimate concern” about the unique identification number’s database being secure from possible hacking and free from any misuse, head of the ambitious project Nandan Nilekani has said.
“That is a very legitimate concern. We are looking at the design as to how to make it secure,” Mr Nilekani, the chairman of Unique Identification Authority of India, said during a TV programme.
He was replying to a question on how it can be ensured that the database will not be misused and result in an invasion of privacy. On possible misuse by hackers, he said that it is again a legitimate concern but in every system there will be people who will try to hack on it. “Some are impenetrable, some are not. We will have to design it as good as possible. We can certainly create checks and balances. The important thing is — is the risk of hacking and privacy large enough not to do this project? The project has so many significant benefits for the poor in making it inclusive and in giving them a chance to participate in the country’s progress that it is worth it,” he said.