What is CoWIN data leak How can transparency be brought in such matters

Explain CoWIN data leak and suggest measures to bring transparency in similar cases.
CoWIN data leak refers to the recent incident where personal information of around 15 crore people who registered themselves on the CoWIN portal for Covid-19 vaccine was exposed on the internet. This information included names, addresses, mobile numbers, and Aadhaar card details. This breach of data is a serious concern as it can lead to identity theft, financial frauds, and invasion of privacy. To bring transparency in such matters, the following measures can be adopted:
  • Strict Data Protection Laws: The government needs to implement strong data protection laws that ensure the privacy and protection of personal information.
  • Regular Audits: Regular audits should be conducted to identify vulnerabilities in the system and to ensure that the data is stored and handled securely.
  • Transparency in Data Handling: The government should make the process of data handling and storage transparent, including details of who has access to the data and how it is being used.
  • Data Breach Notifications: In case of a data breach, authorities should notify the affected individuals in a timely and transparent manner, along with taking appropriate actions to secure the data.
  • User Education: Individuals should be educated about data privacy and security, including the risks associated with sharing personal information and how to protect themselves from data breaches.
Adopting these measures can help in bringing transparency and accountability in data handling and storage, thus protecting the personal information of individuals.
Answered a year ago
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