Aadhaar Card: UIDAI Warns Citizens Against Sharing Aadhaar Card Copies With Others, Urges To Use ‘Mask Aadhaar’

As per a press release by the UIDAI, the authority warned the citizens against the misuse of the Aadhaar number.

New Delhi: The Minsitry of Electronics & Information Technology has warned the citizens to not share the copy of their Aadhaar Card with others as it can be misused. It also urged the people to use a masked Aadhaar which provides protection against misuse of data by hiding the first few digits of the Aadhaar number. 

According to the website of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the “Mask Aadhaar option allows you to mask your Aadhaar number in your downloaded e-Aadhaar. Masked Aadhaar number implies replacing of first 8 digits of the Aadhaar number with some characters like “xxxx-xxxx” while only last 4 digits of the Aadhaar Number are visible.”

As per a press release by the UIDAI, the authority warned the citizens against the misuse of the Aadhaar number. It stated, “Do not share photocopy of your Aadhaar with any organisations because it can be misused.”

The authority also suggested that citizens should not use their Aadhaar numbers or download e-Aadhaar using public computers at an internet cafe. However, if that needs to be done, then they should permanently delete their Aadhaar Card from the system. 

The UIDAI press release also revealed, that “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 valid User License from the UIDAI.”

Aadhaar has been under scrutiny over privacy issues for a long period. There have been questions about the issues related to the right to privacy especially after it was inducted as a fundamental right in 2018. 

Update: On Sunday, the statement was withdrawn by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology citing that it was released in the context of an attempt to misuse a photoshopped Aadhaar card. 

"Aadhaar Identity Authentication ecosystem has provided adequate features for protecting and safeguarding the identity and privacy of the Aadhaar holder," the ministry clarified.