Aadhaar helpline saved to smartphones by default, users puzzled

Muscat: Indian smartphone users on Friday were taken aback by the fact that a Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) toll free number had been saved to their devices.
The number that was saved to the phones was 1800-300-1947. Some smartphone users took to micro-blogging site, Twitter to complain about it.
“I didn't save this #UIDAI number and don't know how it is saved in my contact list. @UIDAI any explanation?” one Mugilan Chandrakumar asked.
The official Twitter handle of Aadhaar, which issues the unique identification numbers tweeted a clarification on the same, claiming that it was an outdated number and that the valid number was 1947. They added that UIDAI had not asked any manufacturer to do add it.
“It is emphasised that the said 18003001947 is not a valid UIDAI toll free number and some vested interest are trying to create unwarranted confusion in the public. Our valid Toll free number is 1947 which is functional for more than the last two years.
“In the wake of some media reports on default inclusion of UIDAI’s outdated & invalid Toll free no. 1800-300-1947 in contact list of Android phones. It is clarified that, UIDAI has not asked or communicated to any manufacturer or service provider for providing any such facility whatsoever,” the Aadhar handle tweeted.
However, only hours later Indian media houses reported that Google issued a statement, admitting that the number had ‘inadvertently’ made its way into their smartphones.
A Google representative reportedly said that the Aadhar helpline had been added in their setup, back in 2014 and made its way into other smartphones devices, later.
Contacts being synced with Gmail’s address is suspected to the reason for the UIDAI number being saved in i-phones as well.