Aadhaar Card : To ensure the privacy and protection of citizens’ personal details, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is working on an important and necessary new regulation. UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar recently stated that this new rule will be notified very soon. The objective of the rule is to completely discontinue offline verification through Aadhaar photocopies. Once the rule is implemented, individuals will no longer be required to submit photocopies of their Aadhaar card at hotels such as OYO or any other accommodation facilities.
In a conversation with PTI, Bhuvnesh Kumar explained that the authority has approved a new regulation under which hotels, event organizers, and similar institutions will be required to register mandatorily if they wish to conduct Aadhaar-based verification.
New Technology to Be Provided to Registered Institutions
Bhuvnesh Kumar further stated that registered institutions will be provided with new technology that will allow them to carry out verification by scanning a QR code or through a new Aadhaar app. Organizations conducting offline verification will also be given access to an API (Application Programming Interface), enabling them to upgrade their systems for Aadhaar verification.
For this purpose, UIDAI is beta-testing a new application that will allow identity verification directly from app to app, without connecting to the central Aadhaar database for every verification.
New Aadhaar App to Be Used at Airports as Well
According to the UIDAI CEO, collecting Aadhaar photocopies as proof of identity is a violation of the Aadhaar Act. The new Aadhaar app can also be used at airports and at locations selling age-restricted products. Bhuvnesh Kumar stated, “This convenience in verification will make offline verification paperless, while fully protecting user privacy and eliminating the risk of Aadhaar data leakage or misuse.”
The new app will make Aadhaar certification services fully compliant with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, which is expected to be fully implemented over the next 18 months.
