UIDAI Unveils Privacy-Focused Aadhaar App for Selective Digital Sharing
UIDAI Unveils Privacy-Focused Aadhaar App for Selective Digital Sharing
UIDAI unveils a privacy-first Aadhaar app that lets users share only the necessary details, enables offline verification, and aims to curb photocopy misuse.
New Delhi UIDAI on Wednesday rolled out a new Aadhaar app that it plans to merge with the existing mAadhaar app. The move is designed to give users more control over their Aadhaar data while making verification and updates easier for trusted entities. The app was launched on UIDAI Day and inaugurated in New Delhi by MeitY State Minister Jitin Prasada, who dedicated the new Aadhaar App to the nation.
The key aim is to allow digital sharing and offline verification without exposing the entire Aadhaar profile. UIDAI explained that users can choose exactly what information to share, instead of handing over a physical card. For instance, at a hotel check-in, a user could choose to share only their name, not the full Aadhaar details.
A new category of entities, Offline Verification Seeking Entities (OVSEs), can generate a QR code that users scan with the Aadhaar app. This enables verified data to be shared offline, without direct access to UIDAI’s central database. About 18 early adopter OVSEs were present at the event, signaling a pilot phase for broader adoption.
Officials stressed that while registering as an OVSE or downloading the app is voluntary, the objective is to gradually shift away from physical cards. They also noted a potential challenge: if an OVSE is not registered or claims a lack of compatible technology, some establishments may still ask for a photocopy of the Aadhaar card, even though storing such copies is restricted under the Aadhaar Act.
The rollout emphasizes user consent and granular data sharing, but officials acknowledged the hurdles of changing established verification practices. Adoption is expected to grow naturally as more services enable digital verification and privacy controls for Aadhaar data.
