AADHAAR

UIDAI asked public from giving Aadhaar for verification

Most individuals have been sharing the photocopies, with some noticing that they have been misused in their loan and other documents. In case several agencies, devices for biometric authentication were never deployed with UIDAI pushing the use of QR codes embedded in Aadhaar cards. Two days ago, UIDAI’s Bangalore regional office issued a press release under the heading ‘Caution’, asking people to be careful when giving out Aadhaar for certain verification processes.

“Do not share (a) photocopy of your Aadhaar with any organization because it can be misused. Alternatively, please use a masked Aadhaar which displays only the last 4 digits of your Aadhaar number. It can be downloaded from UIDAI’s official website,” it said. UIDAI caution note causes flutter, junked New Delhi : Aadhaar caught the government on the wrong foot over safety concerns after a statement issued by the Bangalore unit of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) – the agency that issues the 12-digit unique identity number – created a flutter when it asked people not to share their info with “unlicensed private entities” such as hotels or movie halls as it can be “misused”.

As the advisory started creating chatter on social media, the IT ministry – the nodal ministry for UIDAI – had to beat a hasty retreat, reassuring there are enough safeguards and protection within the Aadhaar system, and asking people to continue to share the unique ID number, but after exercising “normal prudence”. “In view of the possibility of the misinterpretation of the press release, the same stands withdrawn with immediate effect,” the IT ministry said, uncharacteristically issuing the clarification on Sunday. Over the last few years, Aadhaar has become the most trusted identity proof with hospitals, hotels and employers insisting on Aadhaar photocopies, although it is "voluntary".