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Keep your Aadhaar data safe with a Masked Aadhaar card

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Keep your Aadhaar data safe with a Masked Aadhaar card

The national government stated that after the Unique Identification Authority of India’s Bengaluru regional office urged citizens not to divulge Aadhaar numbers on May 27. However, the electronics and information technology ministry retracted the statement in a statement presented on Sunday. It stressed that Aadhaar card users should share their Aadhaar details with ‘normal prudence.’ This happened after the UIDAI Bengaluru Office’s advice sparked a national debate on Aadhaar security, as the notice said that Aadhaar numbers might be exploited. Later, the Centre confirmed that this stance was rescinded with immediate effect.

The UIDAI warned citizens not to provide a photocopy of their Aadhaar with any organisation in a May 27 notification, claiming that it may be exploited. It requested that users adopt a masked Aadhaar number, which only reveals the last four digits of the Aadhaar card.

“The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has issued a warning to the general people not to share a photocopy of their Aadhaar with any organisations since it could be misused.” “Alternatively, you can use a disguised Aadhaar, which only shows the last four digits of your Aadhaar number,” it had stated.

Citizens were also instructed not to download copies of Aadhaar from public computers and, if they did, to remove them from their local devices. “However, if one does so, all downloaded copies of e-Aadhaar should be permanently deleted from that computer.” “It says that unlicensed private entities, such as hotels or movie theatres, are not authorised to collect or have copies of Aadhaar cards. Doing so is a violation of the Aadhaar Act, 2016.

On Sunday, May 29, the Centre issued a rebuttal statement, claiming that the UIDAI’s Bengaluru regional office stated in the “context of an attempt to misuse a photoshopped Aadhaar card.”

After the advice sparked a debate about Aadhaar security across the country, the IT ministry said to remove the statement. “However, because of the potential for misinterpretation of the Press Release, it is withdrawn immediately.”

The Centre urged citizens to continue to use Aadhaar with caution, stating that it was safe to do so. “UIDAI issued Aadhaar cardholders are only recommended to use and share their UIDAI Aadhaar numbers with caution.” The Aadhaar Identity Authentication ecosystem offers appropriate functionality for preserving and safeguarding the Aadhaar holder’s identity and privacy.”

What Should People With Aadhaar Cards Do?

While the UIDAI and the Centre have repeatedly emphasised Aadhaar’s security protections, those who do not wish to give their Aadhaar number can use an alternative feature. The UIDAI allows users to download a masked Aadhaar, which only shows the last four digits of the 16-digit number, and it is available for download on the UIDAI website.

What is Aadhaar’s concealed identity?

“The Disguise Aadhaar option allows you to mask your Aadhaar number in your downloaded e-Aadhaar,” according to the UIDAI website. Masked Aadhaar numbers are created by substituting the first eight digits of the Aadhaar number with characters such as “XXXX-XXXX,” leaving only the last four digits visible.” It’s a legal technique to get e-copies of your Aadhaar ID without revealing your number.

When and How Should You Use a Masked Aadhaar?

The disguised Aadhaar can be downloaded from the UIDAI’s official website at https://uidai.gov.in/. When you select ‘Download Aadhaar,’ a checkbox labelled ‘I want a masked Aadhaar’ appears. To receive your masked Aadhaar, choose the option before clicking the download button.

Almost all private and public institutions in the country accept the masked Aadhaar card in place of the standard Aadhaar card for transactions. For example, you can offer masked Aadhaar for e-KYC purposes if sharing a soft copy or a photocopy of your Aadhaar card is not required.

You may be unable to use masked Aadhaar card to apply for government welfare programmes like the Pradhan MantriAwasYojana or Pradhan MantriUjjwalaYojana, LPG subsidies, or to open bank accounts. To benefit from the initiatives, you must furnish the whole twelve-digit Aadhaar number in such circumstances.

Masked Aadhaar gives third-party organisations limited visibility when Aadhaar is being utilised as identity proof. This allows a third party to check your photograph on your masked Aadhaar card and your Aadhaar number’s final four digits. They will be unable to store the complete Aadhaar number or access its critical data. Isn’t this a more secure way of conducting your regular business?

What is the purpose of a masked adhaar card?

The initial eight digits of a user’s original Aadhaar number are replaced with characters like “XXXX-XXXX” When individuals share their masked Aadhaar number with others, just the last four digits of the actual Aadhaar number are visible to the receiver. The Masked Aadhaar option, according to the site, is a legitimate way to download e-copies of your Aadhaar ID without revealing the number. Users can use the ‘Masked Aadhaar’ option when downloading their Aadhaar from UIDAI’s official website — https://eaadhaar.uidai.gov.in — in 2018, according to a tweet on its official Twitter handle.

The significance of a masked Aadhaar card

Because it just reveals the last four digits of your Aadhaar, users can share their Masked Aadhaar for eKYC in areas where showing the whole Aadhaar Number is not required. This security feature keeps the first eight concealed or veiled to protect consumers from frauds and criminal actors. Masked Aadhaar can be obtained through e-Aadhaar, a password-protected electronic version of Aadhaar. The competent Authority of UIDAI has digitally signed these online copies. According to the Aadhaar Act, an e-Aadhaar is as valid as a physical copy of Aadhaar.

How can I get a masked Aadhar card?

Step 1: Go to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in for the first step.

Step 2: Create an account and log in to download the disguised Aadhaar card. Select the Login option.

Step 3: Put your Aadhaar number in the box.

Step 4: Fill in the captcha code.

Step 5: Next, select ‘Send OTP.’

Step 6: The OTP will be delivered to the ten-digit mobile number associated with your Aadhaar card.

Step 7: Enter the OTP in the appropriate field and select the Login option from the screen.

Step 8: Select ‘Download Aadhaar’ from the ‘Services’ section.

Step 9: Select ‘Review your Demographics Data’ from the drop-down menu.

Step 10: Select “Do you want a masked Aadhaar?” from the drop-down menu and download the masked Aadhaar.

Masked Aadhaar Password

One can download the password-protected copy of the Aadhaar card. To open the disguised Aadhaar copy, you must enter the password, which can then be printed and shared as needed.

The Aadhaar password is an 8-digit disguised password that looks like this:

The initial four letters of your name and the year you were born.

  • The password will be JAID1990 if the name is Jaideep Singh and the year of birth is 1990.
  • The password will be JAIS1990 if the name is Jai Singh and the year of birth is 1990.
  • The password will be J.SI1990 if the name is J. Singh and the year of birth is 1990.
  • The password will be JAI1990 if the name is Jai and the year of birth is 1990.

Masked Aadhaar Acceptance

When travelling by train, at airports, or for hotel reservations, masked Aadhaar can be used as identification. one can also use it to establish your identification in any situation that requires it. However, it cannot be utilised to obtain benefits under government assistance systems via DBT. You must present a regular eAadhaar or a copy of your Aadhaar card for all government benefit schemes.

Why should you use a masked Aadhaar card rather than a regular Aadhaar card?

Masked Aadhaar has several advantages over traditional Aadhaar cards. The following are a few of them:

  • In masked Aadhaar, your actual Aadhaar number is concealed, and no one can see it. However, your whole Aadhaar number is accessible on standard Aadhaar cards, which others can exploit.
  • One can download the masked Aadhaar card; however, one must seek the standard Aadhaar card at an Aadhaar Enrolment Centre.

FAQs on Masked Aadhar Card

1. Why is the Aadhaar number hidden?

Masked Aadhaars do not expose any personal information about their owners, reducing users’ chances of being fraud victims. The Mask Aadhaar option, according to the official UIDAI website, allows users to hide their Aadhaar number in their downloaded e-Aadhaar.

2. What is an aadhar PDF file that has been masked?

Masked Aadhaar is a security feature on your Aadhaar card that hides your Aadhaar number in your downloaded e-Aadhaar and only discloses the last four digits of your Aadhaar number, hiding the first eight.

3. What is the difference between a standard Aadhaar and a masked Aadhaar?

You can conceal your Aadhaar number in your downloaded e-Aadhaar using the Mask Aadhaar option. Masked Aadhaar numbers are created by substituting the first eight digits of the Aadhaar number with characters such as “XXXX-XXXX,” leaving only the last four digits exposed.

4. Is a disguised Aadhaar card a legitimate proof of identity?

Masked Aadhaar is a widely used type of identification that hides your Aadhaar number, and masked Aadhaar cannot be considered an “invalid” type of identity.

5. Is Aadhaar with a mask safe?

Only the Aadhaar Number’s last four digits are accessible. The Masked Aadhaar card recipient will not have access to the whole Aadhaar number. It will be pretty safe even if this Masked Aadhaar gets misplaced, and the Masked Aadhaar will not contain the complete Aadhaar number.

6. Is it possible to open a bank account with a masked Aadhaar?

Certainly not. When you provide your Aadhaar number to your bank, mutual fund company, or mobile phone company, they send your Aadhaar number, biometrics (provided at the time of authentication), and name to UIDAI for identity verification. They do not send UIDAI your bank account information.

7. Is it possible to utilise a masked Aadhar for KYC?

Is it possible to utilise disguised Aadhaar for KYC? According to UIDAI, you can use a disguised Aadhaar for e-KYC when disclosing the Aadhaar number is not required.

8. Is it possible to download camouflaged Aadhar without an OTP?

Citizens of India can now get their Aadhaar card without using their registered mobile number from the UIDAI’s official website. The Aadhaar issuing authority, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), has announced this to assist those who have not yet registered their number.

9. What is the masked Aadhaar password?

Your password-protected Aadhaar is disguised. So, type the first four letters of your name in capital letters and your year of birth in the YYYY format to access the file.

10. Where can masked Aadhar be used?

In situations where the whole Aadhaar number is not required, such as e-KYC or providing your Aadhaar as ID proof at a hotel, you can utilise a disguised Aadhaar.

11. What are the advantages of having a camouflaged Aadhar card?

Because it just reveals the last four digits of your Aadhaar, users can share their Masked Aadhaar for eKYC in areas where showing the whole Aadhaar Number is not required. This security feature keeps the first eight concealed or veiled to protect consumers from frauds and criminal actors.

12. What is the maximum number of Aadhaar numbers that a person can have?

One Aadhaar: Aadhaar is a one-of-a-kind number that one can’t duplicate because it’s connected to a person’s biometrics, allowing for the detection of fraudulent and ghost identities that cause leakages today

 

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