Is UID Tracking You?

Is UIDAI tracking you?(Aadhar Card)

There are a lot of misconceptions about the Aadhar card due to rumors and fake news reports. In this blog, we try to clear up your misconceptions and answer a few frequently asked questions about Aadhaar Act

Aadhaar act

  1. Since UIDAI has all my data from my bio metrics to bank account, PAN, etc. can it track my activities?

  • UIDAI database has only minimum data about you that you share at the time of enrollment. This includes – Your name, home address, gender, date of birth, fingerprints, IRIS scans, photograph, mobile number, and email ID.
  • It does not have your data about bank accounts, mutual funds, property details, health records, caste, etc. It will never store this information in the Aadhaar database.
  • Section 32(3) of the Aadhaar Act 2016 categorically forbids UIDAI from regulating and accumulating any data about the purpose of authentication by itself or through any third party. Aadhar card acts as an identifier, and not as a profiling agent.
  1. When I link my bank accounts, mutual funds and my mobile phone with Aadhar card, will UIDAI receive this data?

  • Certainly Not. When people link their Aadhaar number to the third parties, they only send the Aadhaar number, your bio metrics, and your name, to UIDAI for confirmation of your identity. They do not send your bank account information to UIDAI.
  • UIDAI responds to such verification requests by replying with either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.
  • If the verification answer is ‘Yes’, your basic KYC details are sent to the service provider. UIDAI never receives or accumulates your bank, investments, insurance, etc. details.
  1. Can someone hack into my bank account if they get hold of my Aadhaar number?

  • No this isn’t possible. For example, by solely knowing your ATM card number, nobody can withdraw money from the ATM machine. Similarly, by knowing your Aadhaar number alone, people cannot hack into your bank account and withdraw money.
  • There has not been a single case of monetary loss due to the Aadhar card.
  1. Do I need to link my bank accounts with the Aadhar card?

  • For your security, it is important to verify the identity of all bank account holders and link them with Aadhar. This helps to remove the accounts being run by fraudsters, money-launderers, criminals, etc.
  • The verification and linking of each bank account make it easier to locate and punish anyone who tries to commit fraud.
  • Thus, bank accounts become more secure after linking aadhar cards with bank accounts.
  1. What is the importance of linking Aadhar card with mobile numbers?

  • By verifying the identity of all mobile subscribers and linking them with Aadhaar, mobile numbers being operated by scammers can be removed.
  • Most criminals and terrorists use SIM cards issued in the name of fictitious and even real people without their knowledge. They use them to commit frauds and crimes.
  • Criminals can be easily identified when every mobile number is verified and linked with Aadhaar.
  1. Can my service provider store my bio metrics taken at the time of SIM verification and use it for other purposes later?

  • The aadhaar act states that no one, including, mobile phone companies have the right to store or use your bio metrics taken at the time of Aadhaar verification.
  • The biometrics are encrypted as soon as Aadhaar holder places their finger on the fingerprint scanner and this encrypted data is sent to UIDAI for verification.
  • Regulation 17(1)(a) of the Aadhaar Regulations 2016, stringently forbids any entity which includes mobile phone companies from collecting, distributing or publishing the fingerprints.
  • Any breach of this provision is a criminal offence under the Aadhaar Act 2016.
  1. Do NRIs require Aadhaar for banking, mobile, PAN and other services?

  • UIDAI issues aadhar card only to the residents of India. NRIs are not qualified to get the Aadhar card.
  • Service providers like banks and mobile companies have designed NRI-specific exemptions.
  • NRIs do not need to provide Aadhaar numbers by virtue of not residing in India.
  1. Are poor people being denied fundamental services like pension & ration for want of Aadhaar?

  • Aadhaar act mentions that until a person is given their Aadhaar number, they cannot be denied ration, pension or such other entitlements. The respective department should verify the identity of the person using alternate means of identification.
  • People can lodge a complaint against any government official of a department that denies the benefits or services for the lack of Aadhar card.
  1. Why do some agencies not accept eAadhaar and demand the original Aadhaar card?

  • eAadhaar from UIDAI website is as legally valid as the Aadhar card issued by UIDAI. Both should be acceptable by all Agencies.
  • Generally, downloaded eAadhaar has updated address and other information of the Aadhaar holders and therefore should be preferable.
  • If anyone refuses to accept downloaded eAadhaar, a complaint can be launched against them.

10. Has Aadhaar really benefited the ordinary citizens of India?

  • Aadhar card has provided the common man innumerable benefits.
  • Aadhar card allows the holder to take advantage of all government subsidies that they are eligible for.
  • Furthermore, it provides 119 crore citizens with a credible identity.
  1. Can people hack the Aadhaar database?

  • There has been no breach in the Aadhaar database through the last 7 years of its existence. Information of all Aadhar cardholders is safe and secure.
  • The rumours about the Aadhaar data breach are mostly cases of misreporting.
  • UIDAI deploys advanced security technologies to keep your information safe and keeps updating them to meet new security threats & challenge.