Can your Aadhaar be misused? Here are 7 things you need not worry about while using UIDAI-issued 12-digit ID

As individual concerns about digital identity and security continue to rise in the backdrop of ever-increasing cyber frauds, understanding how to safely use and protect your Aadhaar number becomes crucial. This article addresses common questions about Aadhaar security, including whether someone can withdraw money from an Aadhaar-linked account just by knowing the number, and why UIDAI advises against publicly displaying Aadhaar cards. This article also explores the implications of linking Aadhaar with other services like PAN cards and Voter ID cards, the risks of sharing your Aadhaar with service providers, and the importance of following best practices for identity verification. By simplifying these points, we aim to help you navigate Aadhaar use safely and confidently. 

1. Can money be withdrawn from a bank account (aadhar linked) if someone knows the Aadhaar number?

No, just by knowing someone's 12-digit  Aadhar number nobody will be able to withdraw money from someone's Aadhar-linked bank account. Individuals should not worry about it as there are multiple safety procedures like two-factor authentication and many others in place to prevent it from happening by UIDAI. Therefore one must exercise caution while sharing their Aadhar details and use the masked  Aadhar feature, but even if someone gets to know an individual's Aadhar number he/she must not worry. 

2. Can an individual freely use Aadhar to prove their identity if so, then why does UIDAI advise citizens to not display their Aadhar card in the public domain?

This question can be better answered in the following manner, Individuals use their PAN cards, Debit cards, Credit cards, and Bank cheques whenever necessary but do not display them in the public domain or any other Social media platform like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The logic applied in this case is to prevent an unwarranted invasion of privacy.

Similarly, Aadhar users can freely use their Aadhar cards to prove their identity or use them as and when necessary, while holding back from sharing Aadhar cards on public domains, applying the same logic.

3. Can someone harm an Individual if they share their Aadhar number with a service provider by giving their Aadhar card to the service provider?

The answer to this question is "No", just by knowing the individual's Aadhar number the Service provider cannot harm the individual in any manner. To prove the identity of an individual using the Aadhar number, the Aadhar number is verified/authenticated by agencies through various modes as prescribed under the Aadhar Act 2016. In layman's terms, this means that there are various methods to ensure that the  Aadhar card holder is the one using the same instead of a scamster or fraudster like the OTP verification.

4. Can linking of PAN card, bank account, and other services with an Aadhaar Card make an individual vulnerable?

According to UIDAI, it does not have visibility of linking an individual's Aadhaar with any other services. All the other concerned departments such as Banks, income tax, etc do not share any information about the Aadhaar number holder nor does UIDAI store any such information in its servers of the Aadhaar number holder. Therefore it is essential to remain vigilant about it.

5. Can any agency demand a physical copy of an Aadhaar Card from an individual without carrying out any biometric verification or OTP authentication? Is it a good practice?

No, this practice is not good or safe at all, and therefore the Ministry of Information and Technology (MeitY) has issued detailed instructions to all Government Ministries/Departments vide the office memorandum number 10(22)/2017-EG-II(VOL-1) dated 19.06.2023. Therefore  Aadhaar card holders need not worry about it. 

6.  Why is an individual asked to verify a Bank Account, debit account, PAN, and various other services with Aadhaar?

The answer to the above question is that Aadhaar verification/ authentication is governed by the sections of the Aadhaar Act 2016, under which the use case has been notified by the concerned Ministry/Department for providing services. 

7. Can an Individual use an Aadhaar freely after UIDAI released a notification prohibiting cardholders to not sharing their Aadhaar Number on social media platforms and other public domains?

You should use your Aadhaar without any hesitation to prove your identity and do transactions, just like you use your bank account number, PAN card, debit card, credit card, etc., wherever required. What UIDAI has advised is that an Aadhaar card should be freely used for proving identity and doing transactions, but should not be put on public platforms like Twitter, Facebook, etc. People give their debit card or credit card details or cheque (which has a bank account number) when they purchase goods, or pay school fees, water, electricity, telephone, and other utility bills, etc.

Similarly, you can freely use your Aadhaar to establish your identity as and when required without any fear. While using Aadhaar, you should do the same level of due diligence as you do in the case of other ID cards – not more, not less.