Are you afraid of misuse of Aadhaar? Then try these measures

We and you are very apprehensive about the privacy of the Aadhaar number. Because Aadhaar number is used for various purposes today. In such a situation, the fear of its misuse remains. Recently, there were reports in the media about breach in Aadhaar data, misuse of biometrics data and breach in personal information. To remove the apprehensions created by these reports, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has introduced ‘Virtual ID’.

It was told that any Aadhar card holder can get his virtual ID by visiting the authority’s website. Through this, many tasks including SIM verification can be done without sharing the Aadhar number. It will be accepted from March 1, 2018. Accepting virtual ID will become mandatory for all agencies using Aadhar for verification from June 1, 2018. But it will take time for this entire process to be implemented. Meanwhile, you can keep your Aadhar number and Aadhar data safe in this way.

(Read: How to check Aadhaar card status)

Check Aadhaar Authentication History

If you want, you can also know when your Aadhaar data has been used for authentication. Gadgets 360 had given detailed information about this process. Still, let us tell you that for this you go to UIDAI’s Aadhaar Authentication History page. Enter your Aadhaar number here and also the captcha code shown in the picture. After this click on Generate OTP. You will get a one-time password on your phone via SMS. On the next page, you will get the facility to filter different authentication requests from UIDAI. You can apply filters by biometric, demographic and other methods. Here you can also check between any specific dates. Its limit is 6 months. The last field is of OTP. Enter the OTP here and click on Submit. After this you will be able to see the detailed details of the Aadhaar authentication request. Here you will get all the information about the date, time and how the authentication has been done. However, you will not be able to know which company or agency used the Aadhaar data for authentication.

Use Virtual Aadhaar ID from March 1

Virtual ID will be a 16 digit number with biometrics. This will give the mobile company or any other authorized agency the name, address and photo of the consumer which is sufficient for verification. Virtual ID will be based on the Aadhaar number of any person. Officials said that any cardholder can create any number of virtual IDs. As soon as a new virtual ID is created, the old one will be automatically cancelled. Through this, many tasks including SIM verification can be done without sharing the Aadhaar number.

Lock Aadhaar biometric data online

There have been many cases where people have alleged misuse of Aadhaar biometric authentication. There are many people who have not used their Aadhaar card for many days, but they have received an email from UIDAI that their data has been accessed through biometric authentication. You can avoid this situation if you go to the UIDAI server and lock the biometric information. You can also unlock it before using it. You have to do this.

Do not share your Aadhaar details with anyone

Always keep in mind that no government institution or bank ever asks you for confidential and personal information like Aadhaar number through phone or email. If you receive any such call or email, never make your Aadhaar information public.

Remember that you do not need to carry a copy of Aadhaar everywhere. You can either keep the mAadhaar app or download a copy of the Aadhaar card.

Using biometrics data wisely

It is possible that while buying a Reliance Jio SIM, you might have shared your thumbprint with a scanner. In the coming times, similar fingerprint scans will be available in Aadhaar card based systems at other places. If you are not completely sure about any scanner, then our suggestion would be that you do not give your thumbprint.