Your Aadhaar card is a document used nationwide, with a unique identity number. It serves as a widely-accepted, valid ID and address proof document that enables you to avail various services. In India, many establishments where you present your Aadhaar may keep photocopies of it. However, they are not authorised to do so. UIDAI has introduced many services using which customers can protect their Aadhaar from being misused.
Download Masked Aadhaar
If you need to submit your Aadhaar photocopies, you could share a masked Aadhaar Card. Here, the first eight digits of your Aadhaar number are masked to avoid misuse of Aadhaar Card. You can download the masked copy of your Aadhaar by following these steps:
- Visit here or download the mAadhaar app on your internet-enabled smartphone.
- Launch the app and enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number, followed by a Captcha Code.
- Tap on the ‘Send OTP’ button and select ‘Do you want a masked Aadhaar?’
- Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number.
- Click on ‘Verify & Download’ in the app.
Lock your biometrics
You can lock your Aadhaar biometrics to disable authentication using your biometrics. You can unlock your biometrics later again whenever needed, in a few simple steps, as mentioned below.
- Visit here and select ‘Lock/Unlock Biometrics’.
- Enter your Aadhaar number or VID, the Captcha Code and select the ‘Send OTP’ option.
- Enter the OTP that you receive on your registered mobile number.
Any individual with a valid Aadhaar and registered mobile number can lock/unlock their biometrics. When you lock your biometrics, your Aadhaar cannot be authenticated using your fingerprint and iris data, preventing potential Aadhaar Card frauds. You can unlock your Aadhaar by following the same steps mentioned above. Note that you need to register your mobile number with Aadhaar if you wish to lock or unlock your Aadhaar.
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