What has the NPCI found on the TrueCaller security breach? We write to them asking just that.

The NPCI began an investigation on the TrueCaller security breach that occurred on July 30, 2019. We write to them to enquire on the insight and outcomes of the investigation.

18 October, 2019
1 min read

Highlights

  • Background:  On August 1, 2019, we wrote to the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) indicating concern and also suggested a few points of action with regard to the TrueCaller security breach that occured on July 30, 2019. Within no time, we received a response that an investigation was being conducted on the issue.
  • New update: With almost two months since the incident, we thought it was necessary to check-in with the NPCI to enquire about the action and outcomes taken after the security breach.

Background

On 30.07.2019, media reports and various user complaints brought to light an issue that caused the automatic registration of unified payments interface (UPI) based IDs of Truecaller users without their knowledge and consent. We wrote to NPCI indicating concern and suggesting immediate and intermediate action (read more) and they informed us of two steps they took in response, firstly, that they had stopped onboarding new Truecaller users on the UPI Platform and secondly, that they started an investigation on the incident.

Keeping us in the loop

Not to talk their ears off (and yours), we basically asked them to provide information on insights and the outcomes of their investigation. Its important that the public be made aware of the reason for this security breach especially as it pertains to their own data. This also brings a level of accountability to platforms like TrueCaller to ensure that put the rights and protection of individuals first.

Additionally, we reiterated two of our previous interim steps that indicated the need for a complaint redressal mechanism and the importance of architecture documentation in the public space to enable concerned individuals identify vulnerabilities.

Links to important documents

  • Follow-up representation to the NPCI dated 14.10.2019 (link)
  • Response by NPCI dated August 6, 2019 (link).
  • True (caller) or False (caller)? We ask NPCI to answer this question (link).
  • Representation to the NPCI dated 1.08.2019  (link)

Would you like to get updates on our work? Become a IFF member!

Subscribe to our newsletter, and don't miss out on our latest updates.

Similar Posts

1
What we do in the shadows: IFF seeks transparency in how Indian ‘smart governments’ are using AI

Noting a glaring lack of transparency and publicly available information on how union and state governments are deploying AI in the public sector, we write to the National Institute of Smart Government urging proactive disclosures and publication of government-led AI projects.

5 min read

2
Big Relief! Supreme Court Stays Notification Constituting Fact-Check Unit!

In a small win for press freedom, Supreme Court has stayed the notification of Union Government operationalising the Fact-Check Unit under Information Technology Rules, 2021, till the constitutionality of the same is finally decided by Bombay HC.

5 min read

3
A DM from the PM (and the storm it stirred)

Last week, millions of WhatsApp users received a message from the Ministry of Electronics & IT, undersigned by the Prime Minister, asking for feedback on schemes introduced by the incumbent government. We unravel what this means for your privacy and the electoral process.

7 min read

Donate to IFF

Help IFF scale up by making a donation for digital rights. Really, when it comes to free speech online, digital privacy, net neutrality and innovation — we got your back!