Masked AADHAAR Alert! Hide your Aadhaar Number using 16-digit VID - What is Virtual ID? Check details here

Aadhaar is the most trusted identity proof today that is used by people across the country every day. Aadhaar is your identity and if it is not there, then you can face many difficulties. Now, it is considered mandatory to have Aadhaar Card for every small or big work. If there is no Aadhaar card, then many important works of people can come to a halt. 

Aadhaar is a verifiable 12-digit identification number issued by UIDAI to the resident of India for free of cost. The Aadhaar ecosystem comprises core infrastructures with the objective of providing enrolment, update and authentication services.

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But why you will want to display your Aadhaar number to all? For security and safety concerns, you definitely don’t want to do that. So, for such purposes, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has come up with a simple solution, where you can protect your Aadhaar number conveniently. 

You can now hide your Aadhaar number by opting for Masked Aadhaar or use Virtual ID (VID). Masked Aadhaar is valid all over India and is accepted widely.

#BewareOfFraudsters
If you don’t want to disclose your #Aadhaar number, then you can use VID or Masked Aadhaar, it is valid and accepted widely.
To get VID/masked Aadhaar, download e-Aadhaar from here: https://t.co/C190bWfd0U#AadhaarAwareness #aadhar pic.twitter.com/vOe0XiyO2L

— Aadhaar (@UIDAI) July 15, 2021

UIDAi recently tweeted, “#BewareOfFraudsters If you don’t want to disclose your #Aadhaar number, then you can use VID or Masked Aadhaar, it is valid and accepted widely.” 

Masked Aadhaar 

Mask Aadhaar option allows a user to mask his/ her Aadhaar number in downloaded e-Aadhaar. Masked Aadhaar number implies replacing of first 8 digits of the Aadhaar number with some characters like “xxxx-xxxx” while only the last 4 digits of the Aadhaar Number are visible for reference purposes. 

Virtual ID (VID) 

VID is a temporary, revocable 16-digit random number mapped with the Aadhaar number. VID can be used in lieu of the Aadhaar number whenever authentication or e-KYC services are performed. Authentication may be performed using VID in a manner similar to using the Aadhaar number. It is not possible to derive Aadhaar number from VID. 

VID can be generated only by the Aadhaar number holder. They can also replace (generate a new VID) their VID from time to time after UIDAI set minimum validity period (currently set as 1 calendar day, i.e. a new VID be generated after 00:00 hrs on the next day). At any given time only one VID will be valid for an Aadhaar number. UIDAI will provide various options to Aadhaar number holders to generate their VID, retrieve their VID in case they forget, and replace their VID with a new number.  

These options will be made available via UIDAI’s resident portal, eAadhaar download, Aadhaar Enrolment centre, mAadhaar mobile application, etc. Presently, the VID generation facility is available on UIDAI's resident portal. Whenever required, VID will be sent to residents via SMS on a registered mobile number. 

VID can also be generated by sending an SMS to the Aadhaar helpline number 1947. The resident will have to type “GVIDLast 4 digits of Aadhaar Number” and send it to 1947 through the registered Mobile Number.