UIDAI: Ensure safety! Here is how you can block Aadhaar biometric authentication on uidai.gov.in

Aadhaar Safety: In order to ensure safety, the UIDAI also allows customers to block their Aadhaar based biometric authentication on their website. The sole reason to lock your Aadhaar biometrics is that the holder will not be able to use their Biometrics (fingerprints/iris) for authentication thus preventing potential misuse. Aadhaar card is allowed for a list of services like opening bank account, income tax return (ITR) filing, applying for Permanent Account Number (PAN) card among others. For availing such service, authentication can be done using Aadhaar biometric just like OTPs sent either on a mobile phone or email address. However, UIDAI through its Twitter account says that those who do not wish to use biometrics as authentication can actually lock and unlock the service anytime they want. 

UIDAI said, "If you do not wish to use Aadhaar based biometric authentication service, you can 'Lock' your biometrics in Aadhaar from http://uidai.gov.in. You can also 'Unlock' them whenever you wish to use it for authentication. Remember, you need to #AddMobileInAadhaar for login OTP."

The locking can be done only when you have registered your mobile number with the Aadhaar card. 

It needs to be noted that, once you have locked your Aadhaar biometric from uidai.gov.in, you will not be able to use the service for instance like attendance.

UIDAI on its official website says, "Any resident with valid Aadhaar should be able to use the service. This feature empowers an Aadhaar holder to prevent any potential misuse of biometric authentication."

After locking biometrics if a UID is used for invoking any of the Authentication services using a biometric modality (Fingerprint/Iris) a specific error code '330' indicating biometrics are locked.

Here's how to do it! 

Visit the uidai.gov.in website. Click on My Aadhaar section. 

Under the section, you will find lock/unlock biometric service in sub-section Aadhaar services. 

Once clicked you will be directed to a page which will ask your Aadhaar UID/VID along with security code. 

(Image source: UIDAI 

Users of this System are cautioned to use this facility with care to prevent denial of Authentication services.

A biometric is fingerprint and iris data in Resident’s Aadhaar used for authentication.

The procedure is followed temporarily, hence one can even unlock it whenever they want following the same method.

 In case your mobile number is not registered with Aadhaar visit the nearest Enrolment Centre/Mobile Update End Point.