Why did UIDAI issue an Aadhaar photocopy warning and then withdraw it?
From data safety issues to people complaining about the hassle of linking their Aadhaar with other accounts, the unique identification process has been in controversy since the day it was proposed.
The latest controversy is about the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) issuing a press release asking citizens to not share photocopies of their Aadhaar, and the government later withdrawing the advisory citing “possibility of misinterpretation”.
We take a look at what the issue is all about.
WHAT HAPPENED?
The UIDAI, in a press release dated May 27 (Friday), asked citizens to only share masked copies of their Aadhaar cards to prevent misuse.
'Do not share a photocopy of your Aadhaar with any organisation as it can be misused. Alternatively, please use a masked Aadhaar which displays only the last four digits of your Aadhaar number,' the release said.
The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology also said that unlicensed private entities like hotels and theatres are not allowed to collect or keep copies of Aadhaar cards.
'Only those organisations that have obtained a user licence from the Unique Identification Authority of India can use Aadhaar for establishing the identity of a person,' the government said.
The release asked the citizens to verify if an organisation has a valid user licence from UIDAI before sharing their Aadhaar details with them. The government also asked people not to use public computers to download their Aadhaar cards.
THE RETRACTION
Less than 48 hours later, on Sunday, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) issued a statement retracting the earlier release, saying that it could be “misinterpreted”.
'UIDAI issued Aadhaar card holders are only advised to exercise normal prudence in using and sharing their UIDAI Aadhaar numbers,' the government said.
UIDAI issued Aadhaar card holders are only advised to exercise normal prudence in using and sharing their UIDAI Aadhaar numbers.
— Prasar Bharati News Services पी.बी.एन.एस. (@PBNS_India) May 29, 2022
In view of the possibility of the misinterpretation of the Press Release dated 27 May, the same stands WITHDRAWN with immediate effect: @GoI_MeitY pic.twitter.com/9z3BXxUDvk
'It is learnt that it (the UIDAI press release) was issued by them in the context of an attempt to misuse a photoshopped Aadhaar card. The release advised the people to not to share photocopy of their Aadhaar with any organisation because it can be misused. Alternatively, a masked Aadhaar which displays only the last 4 digits of an Aadhaar number, can be used,' the government statement said.
HOW TO DOWNLOAD MASKED AADHAR
- Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in and click on the login option
- Enter your Aadhaar number and the captcha code and then click on ‘Send OTP’
- The OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked ten digit mobile number
- Enter the OTP in the required field and click on the login option displayed on the screen
- Go to the ‘Services’ section and click on ‘Download Aadhaar’
- Go to the ‘Review your Demographics Data’ section
- Click on ‘Do you want a masked Aadhaar?’ option and download the masked Aadhaar
DATA PRIVACY CONCERNS WITH AADHAAR
Over 99 per cent of the Indian adult population, which is over 1.2 billion, have Aadhaar cards. And the Aadhaar details are now needed for almost everything. From acquiring a mobile number, to opening a bank account, filing income tax returns, receiving subsidies or even getting registered for a marriage, you will have to furnish your Aadhaar details.
Critics say the Aadhaar links enough data to create a comprehensive profile of a person’s spending habits, their friends and acquaintances, the property they own, and a lot of other information. And this raises the issue of data privacy.
Security researchers had discovered that the Aadhaar information of as many as 135 million people had been leaked online, reported Reuters. UIDAI, however, has repeatedly said that its data is secure.