The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has taken a big step to help people avoid the trouble of carrying or losing their Aadhaar card. Recently, they announced on X (formerly Twitter) a new mobile app. With this app, you can now keep your digital Aadhaar card safely on your smartphone. The digital card is equally valid as the physical card. This means you no longer need to carry your Aadhaar card in your pocket or bag.
The new app, announced on Sunday, will make life easier for users. It will also save you from the trouble of going to the police if the card is lost. The app comes with several advanced security features to keep your personal information safe.
New Security Features for the App
UIDAI protects your privacy and secures your details. The new app has several powerful security features:
Facial Recognition/ Biometric Authentication: You can open the app or complete certain critical tasks using your face or fingerprint. This means your Aadhaar ID remains protected if your phone falls into someone else’s hands.
Biometric Lock: You are able to lock or unlock your Aadhaar fingerprint and iris information. This ensures that no one can use your biometric data for anything nefarious.
QR Code Verification: You can verify your identity in a bank or service centre using a QR Code via the app without sharing your full Aadhaar number.
You Own Your Data
The app enables you to control your personal data. You can select what you want to share. For example, you may want to share only your name and photo to verify your identity and keep your date of birth or address hidden. This means you control your data.
Other Important Features
- Family Profile: In the app, you can link the Aadhaar of up to five family members.
- Offline Access: Once synced, you can view your digital Aadhaar offline.
- Activity Log: You can view when, where, and how your Aadhaar was used. This is important to identify suspicious activity.