Aadhaar at Rs. 500: Know how to protect your data
Details about a racket "selling" Aadhaar data for Rs. 500 have emerged. Paying that amount, you can access details of anyone registered with the UIDAI, including their name, address and phone number. For another Rs. 300, you could even print anyone's Aadhaar card yourself. Fortunately, there's something you can do to protect your data. Find out how.
What's the racket about?
Correspondents of The Tribune got in touch with anonymous elements who "sold" Aadhaar details. After Rs. 500 was transferred to them via Paytm, they created an ID for the client, which allowed them unrestricted access to the Aadhaar portal. For another Rs. 300, the racketeers also let the client print Aadhaar cards. They installed necessary software on the client's computer while accessing it remotely.
This is the key to prevent potential misuse of Aadhaar
Aadhaar authentication functions on biometrics: iris and fingerprint scans. To authenticate your Aadhaar card, any agency has to cross-check your biometrics stored in the Aadhaar database. The UIDAI offers users the option of locking their biometrics. "This is to protect privacy and confidentiality of resident's biometrics data," it said. If locked, your biometrics can't be used for authentication, "thus preventing potential misuse".
Follow these steps to lock your biometrics
To lock your biometrics, visit the UIDAI website at www.uidai.gov.in, then go to 'Lock/Unlock Biometrics' under Aadhaar Services. Under 'Lock your Biometrics', enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and the security code as specified. An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP in the relevant space and 'Login'. Enter the security code once again and click on 'Enable'.
A word of caution from the UIDAI
To unlock, login with the aforementioned method. If your biometrics are locked, you will see the option to 'Disable'. Click on it to unlock. However, UIDAI has cautioned users that they should use this facility with care to prevent denial of authentication services.
