Fact Check: COVID-19 Vaccine feedback calls fraud? Government issues clarification

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) on May 22 alerted citizens for fake calls coming from contact- "912250041117" claiming it is for feedback of vaccine inoculation. A Whatsapp forward has also been doing the rounds claiming that phones might get hacked if a call is received from this contact. The PIB fact-check has cleared the air stating it is not true as Government uses the official number "1921" to take feedback on the COVID-19 vaccination process. 

In January, after the vaccination drive had begun in the country, the Government of India had explained that the technique of ‘Rapid Assessment System (RAS)’ is used for taking feedback from those who get vaccinated. The platform was developed by Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY). The GoI uses this platform to improve the vaccination experience for the citizens of India. 

The platform also ensures that COVID-19 protocols are followed. 

"Under the Covid Vaccination drive, the Government of India is using ‘Rapid Assessment System (RAS)’, a platform developed by Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) for taking feedback from those who get vaccinated. This initiative to utilize RAS platform is aimed at improving the vaccination experience for citizens while ensuring that all norms are being followed during the vaccination process at all vaccination centers" added the Ministry of Electronics & IT. 

RAS platform

The platform has already provides SMSes to those who are getting vaccination and follows a process to collect feedback on the drive. RAS sends out a unique URL to the registered mobile numbers of those who get vaccinated and asks a series of questions, to which the citizens have to reply yes or no. In case if the user does reply to the given URL, 'an outbound call is made from “1921” seeking feedback'. 

The main goal of the platform generated by the MEITY is to continuously monitor the user experience and improve through online and offline means. The citizens get the response of feedback as soon as any Government eService service is availed for better delivery of services.