MANGALURU: With Mangaluru voters receiving assembly
poll survey forms to their postal address, there is a strong suspicion among them that there may have been a data breach from their KYC given to various agencies.
A poll survey form a voter in Mangaluru received from a Delhi-based agency on Tuesday seeks opinion including the name of the candidate who may win from their constituency. Interestingly, the poll survey form received through post has the address of the recipient with all details that he has submitted as KYC to various agencies.
The business reply envelope, which requires no postage stamp, contains a poll survey form that also asks which party candidate the recipient would vote. In addition, the survey also seeks to know which brand of mobile phone, four-wheeler, two-wheeler, computer, broadband/ internet and television set the recipient uses and his age, said Nikhil Kolpe, a journalist.
“My neighbour received a poll survey form through post. I wonder how a Delhi-based company got access to the details of a person in a village of Dakshina Kannada district. The cover he received through post has the address with the name of his father and door number too. Though voting by an individual is considered a secret, the poll survey asks in writing to which party the recipient would vote in the election,” Nikhil said, adding that it is a violation of rules.
The poll survey also offers prizes including mobile phones, wrist watches and motivation books for those who predict the victory of candidates precisely, he said. “The poll survey agency has not mentioned any details except a post box number. They may sell the data they receive through the survey to any political parties or institutions. The recipient had given his Aadhaar card copies to obtain ration card, voter ID, bank account, driving license and for SIM card. The question remains as to who handed over the details of the recipient to the poll survey agency operating from Dehli,” he added.