The UIDAI today dismissed reports of full Aadhaar details being made available on payment of Rs 500 by anonymous sellers, asserting that its system is "secure" and any misuse can be traced and action taken as it maintains a complete log of various functions, reported PTI.

"The Aadhaar data including biometric information is fully safe and secure," UIDAI claimed.
The statement comes after a news report in 'The Tribune' claimed that anonymous sellers were offering unrestricted access to Aadhaar details for Rs. 500 over WhatsApp.

UIDAI said even its grievance redressal search facility offers only limited access to name and other details and "has no access to biometric details".

"...there has not been any data breach of biometric database which remains fully safe and secure with highest encryption at UIDAI and mere display of demographic information cannot be misused without biometrics," it said.

At the same time, UIDAI said Aadhaar number is not a secret number and is to be shared with authorised agencies whenever an Aadhaar holder wants to avail a service or benefit of government welfare schemes.