The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) recently issued a warning to the public about sharing photocopies of their Aadhaar cards. This warning was, however, withdrawn later due to fears it could be misinterpreted. This article will explore the UIDAI, its initial warning, concerns surrounding the Aadhaar card, and what significance it holds in today’s digitized India.
Understanding UIDAI
Established on July 12, 2016, by the Government of India, the UIDAI is a statutory authority under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It follows the provisions of the Aadhaar Act 2016. Initially set up in January 2009, the UIDAI’s mandate is to assign a unique identification number, Aadhaar, to all residents of India. As of October 31, 2021, there are 131.68 crore Aadhaar numbers issued.
Initial Warning from UIDAI
The initial warning issued by UIDAI focused on the potential misuse of Aadhaar card information. The authority warned against sharing photocopies of the Aadhaar card as they could be exploited. Instead, it encouraged the use of a masked Aadhaar, which only shows the last four digits of the Aadhaar number. To further ensure security, the public was advised against downloading their e-Aadhaar on public computers and to delete any downloaded copies permanently.
Concerns Related to Aadhaar
With private entities often requiring Aadhaar card information, many concerns have arisen. These primarily revolve around data privacy and security, the electronic imposition of Aadhaar authentication, arbitrary exclusions from benefits for failing to link Aadhaar, and the vulnerability of the Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS) to fraud.
Recent Issues with UIDAI
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has recently expressed concerns over several issues related to the issuance of Aadhaar cards. This came after the Supreme Court struck down Section 57 of the Aadhaar Act in 2018, a section that allowed private entities to collect citizens’ Aadhaar details, deeming it “unconstitutional”.
The Significance of Aadhaar
Despite the concerns, Aadhaar holds significant value in promoting transparency and good governance. It helps in financial inclusion of underprivileged sections, facilitates direct benefit transfers to citizens’ bank accounts, and is a strategic tool for public sector delivery reforms. Moreover, Aadhaar does not profile people based on caste, religion, income, health, or geography, and its use is a proof of identity but does not confer any right of citizenship or domicile.
Way Forward
Going ahead, the government must enforce the Supreme Court’s directives, which includes restrictions of mandatory Aadhaar for permissible purposes and providing alternatives when Aadhaar authentication fails. It’s also crucial to ensure that benefits are not unjustly withdrawn or suspended due to failure in linking with Aadhaar. Lastly, stronger safeguards against vulnerabilities of Aadhaar-enabled Payment Systems and better grievance redressal facilities are needed.
This article has provided a comprehensive understanding of the UIDAI’s role, the importance of Aadhaar, and the concerns around it. Understanding these aspects can help individuals make informed decisions about their interactions with Aadhaar and related systems.
