Safety of Aadhaar

Why in news?

• The Unique Identification Development Authority of India (UIDAI) chose to withdraw its advisory two days after it was issued, encouraging users to desist from distributing photocopies of their Aadhaar Card.
• The notification has been withdrawn to avoid any misinterpretation.

UIDAI advisory to ensure safety of Aadhaar:

• UIDAI advisory says:
  • Holders should utilise a masked Aadhaar card instead of the traditional photocopy.
  • The document must not be downloaded from a cybercafé or a public computer, and if it is, it must be wiped from the system permanently.
  • The first eight numbers of the twelve-digit ID are hidden behind ‘XXXX’ characters in ‘Masked Aadhaar.’

Laws on usage of Aadhar and its safety:

• The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 makes it clear that Aadhaar authentication is necessary for availing subsidies, benefits and services that are financed from the Consolidated Fund of India.
• The requesting entity would have to obtain the consent of the individual before collecting his/her identity and ensure that the information is only used for authentication purposes on the Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR).
• The Act makes it clear that confidentiality needs to be maintained and the authenticated information cannot be used for anything other than the specified purpose.
• Identity information or authentication records would only be liable to be produced pursuant to an order of the High Court or Supreme Court, or by someone of the Secretary rank or above in the interest of national security.

NB: To know more about UIDAI and Aadhaar please click here

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Which of the following statements are NOT correct regarding ‘Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)’?

1. It is a constitutional body.

2. It operates under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Home Affairs.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer