Don’t share Aadhaar card photocopy, UIDAI withdraws previous advisory

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has issued a advisory to citizens not to share Aadhaar card photocopies with any organisations, UIDAI published a clarification on Sunday, May 29th, two days after giving a notice to not exchange photocopies of Aadhaar cards to avoid misuse.

On 27th May UIDAI has issued a warning to citizens not to share Aadhaar photocopies with any organisations or people, citing the possibility of exploitation. 

Today they withdraw a previous advisory and advice to use masked Aadhaar.

What to do:

• UIDAI recommends using masked Aadhaar, which only shows the last four digits of your Aadhaar number and can be downloaded from the UIDAI’s official website. 
• STEPS TO FOLLOW:

1. A masked Aadhaar can be downloaded from the official UIDAI website https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/
2. Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar card number.
3. Select the option ‘Do you want a masked Aadhaar’.
4. Download the masked Aadhaar copy.

• At https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/verifyAadhaar, any Aadhaar number can be confirmed.
• UIDAI informed, you can use a QR code scanner in the mAadhaar mobile application to verify offline by scanning the QR code on an eAadhaar, Aadhaar letter, or Aadhaar PVC card.

What not to do:

• Avoid using public internet cafes and KIOSK, to download an E-Aadhaar card. (If you do so, make careful to permanently erase all downloaded versions of e-Aadhaar from that computer)
• Do not give Your Aadhaar photocopy in hotels, Movie theatres etc.

Important Information:

Only organisations that have obtained a User License from the UIDAI are permitted to utilise Aadhaar to verify a person’s identification. Private enterprises that are not licenced, like as hotels or movie theatres, are not allowed to acquire or maintain copies of Aadhaar cards. It is a offence to ask for an Aadhaar card under the Aadhaar act 2016.   If a private entity asks to examine an Aadhaar or a photocopy of an Aadhaar card, please ensure that they hold a valid User License from the UIDAI,”

“The Aadhaar Identity Authentication ecosystem provides enough measures for preserving and safeguarding the Aadhaar holder’s identity and privacy.”