Govt withdraws UIDAI’s Aadhaar caution note after flutter

Govt withdraws UIDAI’s Aadhaar caution note after flutter

Pankaj.Doval@timesgroup.com

New Delhi : Aadhaar caught the Centre on the wrong foot over safety concerns after a statement issued by the Bengaluru unit of the Unique Identification Authority of India — 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 ministry of information technology — 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“In view of the possibility of the misinterpretation of the press release, the same stands withdrawn with immediate effect,” the IT ministry said, uncharacteristically issuing the clarification on Sunday.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 its photocopies, though it is “voluntary”. Most individuals have been sharing photocopies, with some noticing they have been misused in documents. In case of several agencies, devices for biometric authentication were never deployed with UIDAI pushing the use of QR codes embedded in Aadhaar cards. › Safety fears, P 9 The use of Aadhaar photocopies has created safety fears Two days ago, UIDAI Bengaluru 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, further adding, "Only those organisations that have obtained a User License from the UIDAI can use Aadhaar for establishing the identity of a person. Unlicensed private entities like hotels or film halls are not permitted to collect or keep copies of Aadhaar card. It is an offence under the Aadhaar Act 2016. If a private entity demands to see your Aadhaar card, or seeks a photocopy of your Aadhaar card, please verify that they have (a) valid User License from the UIDAI."

While Aadhaar has proved to be safe, the use of photocopies has created safety fears. The UIDAI move to first alert citizens about not sharing Aadhar photocopies and then subsequently retract its statement, has kicked off a row with data security experts, former bureaucrats, activists and political leaders 5/30/22, 7:13 AM about:blank about:blank 2/2 hitting out at UIDAI. “In the initial release, the UIDAI admitted to long pending concerns with Aadhaar, which were debated and proven in the court. UIDAI always insisted they have improved Aadhaar’s security by bringing in virtual ID, masked Aadhaar numbers, but has never promoted them enough,” Kodali Srinivas, a data security expert, said.

“This release accepting privacy and security concerns with Aadhaar has been withdrawn again, because the Government doesn’t want people to distrust and stop using Aadhaar.” French security researcher Baptiste Robert, who exposed several Aadhaar leaks in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, said that four years ago he had warned about the issues with the Aadhaar.