The central government on Sunday issued a clarification after backlash over an advisory from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on sharing of Aadhar photocopy with any unlicensed private entity.
On Saturday, UIDAI warned people against sharing photocopies of their Aadhaar because “it can be misused”. The government agency, mandated to issue Aadhaar, advised Indian residents to use masked Aadhaar for the purpose of identity verification. A masked Aadhar displays only the last 4 digits of the unique 12-digit number.
UIDAI further underlined that only those organizations with a user license from the agency can use Aadhaar for establishing the identity of a person. Unlicensed private entities like hotels or film halls are not permitted to collect or keep copies of Aadhaar card, the release said, calling it an offence under the Aadhaar Act 2016. In case a private agency demands to see Aadhaar car, the agency said, people should verify that they have a valid User License from the UIDAI.
The ministry of electronic & IT later issued a clarification, saying the advisory was issued by a regional UIDAI office in the context of an attempt to misuse a photoshopped Aadhaar card.
