Summary of this article
UIDAI approves rule to mandate hotels to register for seeking Aadhaar-based verification
Entities can access to customers’ data by scanning a QR code or connecting with Aadhaar app or database
The UIDAI has made it mandatory for entities such as hotels to register in order to conduct Aadhaar-based verification. The move is to curb the misuse of the personal information of Aadhaar holders
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has approved a new rule which mandates that entities such as hotels and event organisers register with the authority to seek access to Aadhaar-based verification of customers, a senior government official told PTI.
This new rule is a move to discourage hotels and other entities from taking photocopies of customers’ Aadhaar cards and storing them in a physical form, which is in contravention of the current Aadhaar Act. This is to reduce the misuse of the Aadhaar data of individuals.
How will the new rule work?
UIDAI’s Chief Executive Officer Bhavesh Kumar told PTI that a new technology, which provides these entities access to customers’ data by scanning a QR code or connecting with the Aadhaar app, is in the works. This system will help avoid delays due to outages and connect the servers to the central Aadhaar database. This will ensure faster and smoother processing of services.
"The new rule has been approved by the authority and will be notified soon. It will mandate registration of offline verification-seeking entities like hotels and event organisers. The objective is to discourage paper-based Aadhaar verification," Kumar told the agency.
For entities seeking offline verification, they will get access to an application programming interface (API), which can be used to update their system for verifying Aadhaar details, the agency reported. UIDAI is beta-testing a new app which will enable app-to-app verification without the need to connect with the central Aadhaar database server for every verification request.
The new app can also be accessed in places such as airports or shops which need to sell age-appropriate products, as well as other places which may require Aadhaar verification.
"The ease of verification will enhance offline verification without the use of paper while maintaining the privacy of users or any risk of their Aadhaar data getting leaked for misuse," Kumar was quoted as saying.
This new app is expected to improve the Aadhaar authentication service in accordance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, which will be completely operational in 18 months.
The move is a step towards increasing the accessibility of Aadhaar as UIDAI aims to strike down Aadhaar-based theft and crimes. The app will enable users to update documents of their address proof and add other family members to the same app for those who do not use a mobile phone.
