Here’s Why UIDAI’s Number Creeped into the Contact List on Your Android Phone
Aug. 4, 2018It was recently reported that UIDAI’shelpline numberis being saved by default in most Android device’s contact lists, and there was no explanation from either UIDAI, smartphone makers or Google as to why this is happening. Well, we finally have an answer, as it appears that saving the helpline number by default on Android devices was a mistake because Googleinadvertentlyloaded the number in the ‘setup wizard’ of Android devices.
Google has revealed that the UIDAI helpline number can be deleted manually from the contact list, however, the company has assured that it is working‘towards fixing this in an upcoming release of Setup wizard which will be made available to OEMs over the next few weeks’.
Moreover, Google has assured that the presence of the UIDAI helpline number on Android devices is not a security scare that can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to device data in any manner.
On the other hand, UIDAI has claimed that the Aadhaar regulatory body has not asked any smartphone maker to pre-load the helpline number on their Android devices, in a bid to quell any doubts regarding another major privacy threat. UIDAI added that the helpline number was‘outdated and invalid’, and that the whole scenario appears to be an attempt to‘create unwarranted confusion in the public’.Moreover, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has made it clear that it did not direct any of the member telecom operators to preload the helpline number on Android devices.
