Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi (SHP)

New Delhi, Sep 12: According to a Medianama report, over 142 companies purchased data of 25 crore vehicles for an amount of Rs 68 crore. The companies in this regard also include Ola, SBI, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank to name a few.

The companies obtained detailed data from the 'VAHAN' database, belonging to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Under the RTI Act, it was also found out that the ministry is using the personal data as cash cow selling it since 2014. The ministry until recently has earned over Rs 21 crore for the year 2019.

This move of the ministry is defined as a means to 'Benefit the country's economy'.

While the government came up with a formal policy of selling the data in 2019 to generate revenue, the sale of the same has been carried out since 2014.

However, the companies that can have access to this data are those which are 50 per cent owned by an Indian. To get the bulk data, the company needs to shell out Rs 3 crore. The bulk data includes registration number, engine number, model number, dealer's name, financer's name, insurance company's name, insurance validity and tax paid validity among other basic details.

Even though the name of the owner is not shared, the revelation of his name can happen with a registration number, thereby compromising the vehicle owner's privacy.