Government issues advisory on sharing photocopy of Aadhaar to non-user license entity – know what it states

The government on Saturday issued an advisory on sharing Aadhaar’s photocopy to avoid the misuse of the same, an official press statement said.

The ministry of electronics and IT urged people not to share photocopy of Aadhaar with any organisations because it can be misused. Alternatively, please use a masked Aadhaar which displays only the last 4 digits of your Aadhaar number, it suggested through an advisory.

The ministry also noted that Aadhaar can be downloaded from UIDAI official website https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in. Please select the option "Do you want a masked Aadhaar" and proceed to download.

The existence of any Aadhaar number can be verified at https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/verifyAadhaar and to verify offline one can scan the QR code on e-Aadhaar or Aadhaar letter or Aadhaar PVC card using QR code scanner in the mAadhaar mobile application.

The ministry asked people to please avoid using a public computer at an internet café/kiosk to download e-Aadhaar. However, if did so, ensure that you delete all the downloaded copies of e-Aadhaar permanently from that computer, the release said.

Only those organizations that have obtained a user license from the UIDAI can use Aadhaar for establishing the identity of a person, the ministry also said.

Unlicensed private entities like hotels or film halls are not permitted to collect or keep copies of Aadhaar card and it is an offence under the Aadhaar Act 2016, the advisory further read.

“If a private entity demands to see your Aadhaar card, or seeks a photocopy of your Aadhaar card, please verify that they have a valid user license from the UIDAI,” the ministry added.