FB global breach: National cyber body warns against data thieves

New Delhi: India's national cyber security agency has cautioned internet users about lurking data thieves and advised them against sharing details such as their vote preferences and Aadhaar details over social media platforms and mobile applications. As the debate over Facebook data breach disclosure intensifies, the Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-In) has issued an advisory asking Facebook and all other social media users to "not share their personally identifiable information (PII) on these sites or mobile applications".

CERT-In is the nodal agency to combat hacking, phishing and fortifying security-related defences of the country's internet domain. "Social media users should not share official data or personal secrets on social media messaging platforms. They should never share details like their vote preferences, PIN, passwords, credit card details, banking details, passport information, Aadhaar card and all those details which are meant to be kept as a secret for personal safety and security," the advisory accessed said.

The agency specified that the advisory was being issued for internet and social media users in the country in the backdrop of the recent Facebook data compromise incident. "Facebook admitted that there had been a data breach as the personal data tracked was used by various external parties for unauthorised activities. "In the wake of this development, users are advised to take diligent measures to safeguard their personal data," it said.

The Ministry of Information and Technology had last week asked UK-based Cambridge Analytica - the firm at the centre of the date breach scandal--to furnish a list of clients and the source of data it had collected from India. The notice came after reports suggested that political parties had used the data analytics firm for furthering their poll prospects.

CERT-In said users of cyberspace should follow best practices such as not posting private information and non-disclosure of an individual's location. "Facebook being part of a public network could allow easy access to information which should not be disclosed," it said.

Suggesting some more dos and don'ts, the advisory asked users to immediately approach the help desk of the concerned social media platform in case of a data breach incident, and also lodge a complaint with the cyber wing of the police. It asked netizens to not allow unknown/untrusted applications to access their Facebook account and be diligent in giving permission to third party apps that can access public profile, which includes name, profile pictures, username, user ID (account number), friends list, gender, age range and locale.

New Delhi: Observing that utilisation of social media cannot be stopped due to instances of "aberrations," Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat on Tuesday said that the Facebook would remain the poll panel's social media partner during the Karnataka assembly elections. He also said the social media cell of the EC would go into the issue of App of politicians and political parties sharing user data without the users' consent. He said the cell will make its recommendations on the issue to the Commission which would then take a call.

"Any aberration won't stop the use of modern technology... banks frauds have taken place, but we don't stop banking," Rawat told a press conference while announcing the Karnataka assembly poll schedule. He was asked if the Facebook would continue to be the EC's social media partner in the wake of reports that its user data had been harvested by a company without the users' consent. He said the Facebook would continue to be its social media partner. "It is. We have a Facebook page," he said.

The CEC said that the social media is a reality and the EC will take all precautions at its commend, to prevent episodes which adversely affect Indian elections. The CEC had last week said the poll panel would coordinate with the enforcement agencies for suggestions to prevent "unlawful" activities such as attempts to influence polls.