Several cases have been reported all over India regarding the leakage of Aadhaar Card data and misuse of personal information. As a result, the Aadhaar holders in India have been expressing their concerns over the security of Aadhaar cards and their details provided in it. The concerns raised by the Aadhaar holders have been taken into consideration by the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) and they've come up with a possible solution. To increase the security of data provided in the Aadhaar e-KYC a new and unique feature has been introduced. The new level of security introduced by the UIDAI is referred to as the Aadhaar Virtual ID or the VID.
Aadhaar Virtual ID: What Is It?
Aadhaar Virtual ID is a random 16-digit number that can be used instead of their Aadhaar number/UID. The Virtual ID or the VID is a temporary code. By using the VID the Aadhaar cardholder can protect his/her personal data being accessed and misused by other people. Aadhaar authentication can be carried out using the VID. However, the Aadhaar number cannot be accessed using it.
The Aadhaar Virtual ID was introduced by the UIDAI since the 1st of June 2018. The use of VID has made it impossible for hackers to track down the personal data of Aadhaar Cardholders using their Aadhaar numbers.
Why Is It Important To Use Aadhaar Virtual ID?
For the process of Aadhar authentication now the Aadhaar holder can provide the VID instead of their Aadhaar number. The Aadhar card number of the individual cannot be accessed by the agencies and their personal data is kept safe. Aadhaar authentication is carried out using the VID and on completion of the process, the Aadhaar holder can regenerate his/her VID. This prevents the agency from misusing the details of the individual in case it has been saved. Since the introduction of VID in June 2018, the Unique Identification Authority has made it mandatory that all agencies must accept Virtual ID for Aadhaar authentication.
Aadhaar Virtual ID: The Main Features
Given below are some of the major features of Aadhaar Virtual ID.
- The VID or Aadhaar Virtual ID is a randomly generated code containing 16 digits.
- The code is temporary and will be used instead of Aadhaar cards for the process of Aadhaar Authentication.
- Only one Virtual ID is generated at a time.
- The validity of the VID expires once a new VID is generated by the Aadhaar Cardholder.
- The Virtual ID is generated at the portal of UIDAI.
- Aadhaar number of the individual cannot be retrieved using the Aadhaar Virtual ID.
- Only limited information on the Aadhaar cardholder is provided to agencies when you use a VID.
- There are no restrictions on generating Aadhaar Virtual IDs.
- It is not compulsory for an individual to use Aadhaar Virtual ID.
- For the process of verification, no agency can force the individual to submit their Aadhaar card number.
- Consent from the Aadhaar cardholder is necessary for the agencies to use Virtual ID.
- No agency has permission to store the Virtual ID of the individual and their personal information.
Whether you are opening an account in a bank or applying for a loan you can choose to provide your Virtual ID instead of your Aadhaar card number to the agency concerned. When you do so there is absolutely no reason to worry about your personal information being misused or hacked by anyone.
For more information contact us.
We, Finahub, are experts in Aadhaar related products and services like eSign, eKYC, Authentication, etc. If you want to know how your enterprise can start using it, please give us a call @ 0484 2388285 or email us at [email protected]
