On May 27, the UIDAI, the statutory entity in charge of collecting Aadhaar data, released the first press statement, cautioning the “general public not to share photocopies of one’s Aadhaar with any organisation, since it might be abused.” Instead, “a disguised Aadhaar, which displays only the last four digits of your Aadhaar number” should be used for such reasons, according to the report.
It also advised people not to download their e-Aadhaar from public computers. It further advised them that any downloaded copies of the same should be “permanently removed from that computer” if they did so.
“Only those organisations that have secured a User License from the UIDAI can use Aadhaar to establish a person’s identification,” according to the press release. It went on to say that “collecting or keeping copies of Aadhaar cards is not authorised in hotels or movie theatres,” and that “it is an infraction under the Aadhaar Act 2016.”
It encouraged users to double-check that any private organisation requesting an Aadhaar card has a valid User License from the UIDAI.
Following the press release, several people began to argue that this declaration was necessary due to worries about the abuse of Aadhaar data. Many private companies in the nation need an Aadhaar card, and users often exchange the information. There’s no indication of how these organisations maintain this information secret and safe. Aadhaar datasets have been reported to be auctioned in the past.
Many people may have noted that most laboratories require Aadhaar card data, including a photocopy, for Covid-19 testing. It should be emphasised that sharing this information is not required in order to complete a Covid-19 test.
The UIDAI removed the May 27 news release on May 29, citing the possibility of misunderstanding. “However, in view of the danger of misunderstanding of the Press Release, the same stands withdrawn with immediate effect,” the corrected statement added.
“Aadhaar card users are simply recommended to use and share their UIDAI Aadhaar numbers with regular care,” it added, adding that there are enough security mechanisms to keep it safe.
