In a significant development regarding the safety and welfare of Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel and their families, the government has announced that robust cyber security measures are established to protect sensitive information following a recently signed agreement with Uber. Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth provided insights into these security protocols in a response to a query in the Rajya Sabha, emphasizing the government’s commitment to addressing potential data privacy and security risks associated with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The MoU, signed on October 17, 2024, is aimed at enhancing mobility services for active IAF members, veterans, and their families, ensuring both efficiency and safety in their transportation needs. Addressing concerns raised by Rajya Sabha members, Seth clarified the steps taken to safeguard location data and prevent unauthorized tracking of operational bases and movement patterns of IAF personnel.
Seth informed that the only data shared under this agreement pertains to non-official email IDs of the personnel, which are strictly used for identification purposes within the Uber app. He reassured that various cyber security safeguards are in place, stating, “The data is being encrypted both at rest and during transit using AES 256 encryption.” This stringent measure aims to keep sensitive information secure while being transmitted and stored.
Further addressing the security framework, the minister highlighted that Uber is obligated to conduct annual cyber audits and must provide reports to the IAF. In addition, the IAF retains the prerogative to perform unannounced checks on Uber’s security compliance, reinforcing oversight within this partnership.
This proactive approach indicates a concerted effort by the government to balance the operational needs of the IAF with rigorous data protection measures, ensuring that the privacy of its personnel and their families is not compromised while they benefit from enhanced mobility services.
