A warning to the general public is issued by UIDAI, stating not to share the Aadhaar number photocopy with any organisation. However, the government soon withdrew the notification and claimed that it might lead to ¡°misinterpretation¡±.
The earlier notification advised not to download electronic versions of the Aadhaar from a public computer to download. It further stated that share your ID with only organisations having a ¡®user licence¡¯ from the UIDAI and Hotels and cinema halls cannot collect the Aadhaar photocopies.
Withdrawing its notification, the MeitY stated that ¡°the release advised the people not to share photocopy of their Aadhaar with any organization because it can be misused. Alternatively, a masked Aadhaar which displays only the last 4 digits of the Aadhaar number, can be used. However, given the possibility of the misinterpretation of the Press Release, the same stands are withdrawn with immediate effect,¡±
The ministry further asked the public to ¡°exercise normal prudence¡± while sharing their Aadhaar card numbers for verification.?
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) defines Aadhaar as a verifiable 12-digit identification number to the resident of India at no cost. UIDAI issues it on the behalf of the Indian government. It is for every Indian individual, including children and infants.
The UIDAI is a government body, established to issue Unique Identification numbers (UID) or "Aadhaar", to all Indian residents.
As per the official website of UIDAI, ¡°Aadhaar Number serves as a proof of identity and address, anywhere in India. Any individual, irrespective of age and gender, who is a resident in India and satisfies the verification process laid down by the UIDAI can enrol for Aadhaar.¡±
It remains valid for lifetime and helps residents in availing government and non-government services like banking, mobile phone etc.
According to the official website of UIDAI, the ¡°Mask Aadhaar option allows you to mask your Aadhaar number in your downloaded e-Aadhaar. Masked Aadhaar number implies replacing of first eight digits of the Aadhaar number with some characters like ¡°xxxx-xxxx¡± while only the last four digits of the Aadhaar Number are visible."?
This way an individual can share his/her 12-digit ID number without revealing any important information about himself/herself. Thus, it helps in reducing the fraud committed against users using the cards. It's a legal way to download e-copies of Aadhaar Identity.
In September 2018, the Supreme Court of India upheld the overall validity of the Aadhaar Act, 2016 and rejected the claim that it violates citizens¡¯ Right to Privacy.?
However, section 57 of the Aadhaar Act was struck down by the Supreme Court, which allows private entities to collect a person¡¯s Aadhaar details. The apex court considered it ¡°unconstitutional¡±.
Aadhaar ID is asked by several private entities but it remains suspicious if the extreme personal data is private and secure anymore. In fact, during Covid-19 testing, most labs asked for Aadhaar card data, including a photocopy but is not compulsory to share your data for the test.
The SC also ruled that it can be made compulsory only in case of benefits paid from the Consolidated Fund of India and an alternative identity must always be provided when Aadhaar fails during the verification process.
The linking of Aadhaar to bank accounts, and UPI applications raised several questions in terms of the Right to Privacy of a citizen.
Based on the judgement passed by the SC concerning the Right to Privacy, the government passed a Data Protection Bill in December 2018.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, the country¡¯s top auditor, pulled up UIDAI for ¡°deficient data management¡±. In its 108-page audit report on UIDAI functioning, CAG flagged issues like data-matching, errors in authentication, and shortfall in archiving.
The CAG noted, ¡°UIDAI provided Authentication services to banks, mobile operators and other agencies free of charge till March 2019, contrary to the provisions of their Regulations, depriving revenue to the Government.¡±
It further stated that Aadhaar numbers with poor quality biometrics result in authentication errors. UIDAI does not take any responsibility but transfers the fixing error things to residents and charges fees as well.
¡°The Authority had not ensured security and safety of data in Aadhaar vaults. They had not independently conducted any verification of compliance to the process involved,¡± the CAG observed.
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