In a significant breach of personal data, hackers have gained access to users’ Aadhaar and PAN card details, making them available on the messaging platform Telegram.
The breach reportedly occurred through the CoWIN portal, which users utilize to register for COVID-19 vaccinations.
According to a report by Malayala Manorama, entering a registered mobile number from the Covin portal into Telegram reveals information such as gender,
date of birth, vaccination center, and dose, along with the ID card used for vaccination.
Alleged Data Leak Includes Union Health Minister’s Secretary
This extensive data leak allows anyone on Telegram to access Aadhaar, Voter ID, and PAN card numbers of Indian users who have received vaccinations.
However, Mint has not independently verified this data breach.
According to the Malayalam Daily, Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary to the Union Health Minister,
is among the individuals whose information has reportedly been compromised.
Concerns Raised by Trinamool Congress Leader and Others
Saket Gokhale, a Trinamool Congress leader, has expressed serious concern over this data leak.
Gokhale took to Twitter, sharing screenshots that display the leaked details of several TMC leaders, as well as some journalists whose information has been exposed.
Previous Data Breach Affected 1.5 Billion Users in 2021
In a separate incident last year, a massive data leak of 1.5 billion user records was reported.
At that time, it was claimed that the Covin portal’s database, consisting of 1.5 billion individuals, would be sold.
However, cybersecurity researchers dismissed the allegations, stating that no such data leak had occurred.
