We all know , Aadhaar has empowered Indians with a credible identity. Today the fact is that Aadhaar inspires more confidence and trust than any other identity document in India. For example, if you are an employer, which identity document will you prefer from your prospective employees? Or, just ask your maid servant, household help, driver, poor living in slums and villages as to how they are using Aadhaar to prove their identity to get jobs, open bank accounts, for rail travel, and to get various entitlements and government benefits directly into their bank accounts without middlemen. Ask them and they will tell you how empowered they are by having Aadhaar.
Recently, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has warned the general public not to share photocopy of one’s Aadhaar with any organizations because it can be misused. Alternatively, a masked Aadhaar which displays only the last 4 digits of your Aadhaar number can be used for the purpose. UIDAI has also asked the public to avoid using a public computer at an internet café/kiosk to download e-Aadhaar. However if one does so, it should be ensured that all the downloaded copies of e-Aadhaar permanently deleted from that computer.
Meanwhile, Ministry of electronics and information technology also clarifies that Aadhaar card numbers can be misused. “Aadhaar Identity Authentication ecosystem has provided adequate features for protecting and safeguarding the identity and privacy of the Aadhaar holder,” it added. In the earlier notification, which now stands withdrawn, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said that organisations that have obtained a user license from the UIDAI can use Aadhaar for establishing the identity of a person. Private entities like hotels or film halls are not entitled to keep copies of Aadhaar cards, the earlier press release said. we need to take a level-headed approach and ensure that ample safeguards are put in place for data protection and privacy.
