Editor's pick of the day - All you need to know about RS Sharma's Aadhaar tweet fiasco

It all started innocently enough. Ram Sewak Sharma, the Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in all his RSS(Ram Sewak Sharma)-ness, said in an interview to The Print that “Aadhaar does not violate privacy and the government has a right to create such a database of residents since it gives subsidies.” Sharma, slated to retire from his current role as TRAI Chairman on August 9, is widely tipped to be the head of the new data protection authority. During his chat, Sharma went a step further. “Tell me what harm can you do to me if you have my Aadhaar details? I will give you my Aadhaar number if you like.”

The internet’s ears pricked up and all its senses were heightened. Challenge accepted.

Kingsly John, a technology developer, took to Twitter for a simple follow up: “Walk your talk, RS Sharma. Publish your Aadhaar details to the public if you have so much trust in this 13ft wall secured system.” Sharma – an IAS officer and prior to his tenure as Chairman of TRAI, the first Director General of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) which issues Aadhaar numbers – complied. Publishing his Aadhaar ID on Twitter, he posed a gauntlet. “Now I give this challenge to you: Show me one concrete example where you can do any harm to me!” This is our story of the day and you are listening to Moneycontrol.

Soon after RS Sharma’s Aadhaar number was out on Twitter, began the “Doxing,” essentially dumping of personal details of a person in the public domain. Twitter users posted his demat account details, the IFSC and MICR codes of his six bank account numbers, voter ID, his debit card usage and use of his Aadhaar card for sale of organic goods by Lella Dhar Organics of Hari Sevak Sharma. Others were more generous. They deposited Re 1 in Sharma’s bank accounts to prove their point. His PAN details were revealed; his frequent flyer number, which is apparently a security question for his Gmail password, was out; and of course his date of birth, address, mobile number, etc. Someone even ordered him a OnePlus 6 via Amazon. Cash on delivery.