The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has approved a new rule that will require businesses such as hotels and event organisers to register with the authority if they want to use Aadhaar for customer verification.
The move aims to stop the common practice of collecting and storing photocopies of Aadhaar cards, which can lead to misuse and goes against the Aadhaar Act.
How will it work?
UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar told PTI that registered entities will get access to new technology that lets them verify a person’s identity by scanning a QR code or through a new Aadhaar app currently being developed.
“The new rule has been approved and will be notified soon. It mandates registration of offline verification-seeking entities. The objective is to discourage paper-based Aadhaar verification,” Kumar said.
The new system will also reduce delays caused by server outages by allowing faster offline verification. Entities that still prefer offline verification will get access to a UIDAI API to integrate Aadhaar verification into their systems.
UIDAI is also testing a new app that enables app-to-app Aadhaar verification without connecting to the central database for every request.
Where can the new Aadhaar app be used?
The upcoming app will be available to a wide range of users, including airports, shops selling age-restricted products, and other places requiring Aadhaar-based checks.
According to UIDAI, the app will make verification easier while protecting user privacy and preventing Aadhaar data leaks.
The tool will support the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, expected to be fully implemented in the next 18 months. Users will also be able to update address documents easily and add family members who do not have mobile phones.