New Delhi: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has introduced a new feature to make Aadhaar even more secure. The new feature, dubbed ‘Masked Aadhaar’ gives the user the option to download the 12-digit eAadhaar where the last four digits of the number remain veiled.
This feature will allow users to share their e-Aadhaar without any hiccups as the first eight digits of the Aadhaar number will not be disclosed. The feature comes in handy in cases where Aadhaar number sharing is not mandatory. “This is a digitally signed valid eAadhaar which can be used as the regular eAadhaar,” said UIDAI on its Twitter handle.
Masked Aadhaar’ features
The feature is limited to eAadhaar, which is a digital version of the Aadhaar card and is signed by the UIDAI. It works similar to the actual Aadhaar card. Now, with ‘Masked Aadhaar’, you will be able to easily share it without the fear of giving out your 12-digit Aadhaar number.
The tweet below shows exactly how your eAadhaar usage will be even safer in future. It may be noted that only the Aadhaar number will be veiled but other information such as demographic information, photograph, and QR code will still be there on the eAadhaar.
While it is not a major security update, it will surely help individuals to use it as a proof of ID without disclosing their Aadhaar number.
How to download?
Users who are interested in downloading the feature can do so from the website of UIDAI. First, you will have to download the eAadhaar facility which hardly takes a few minutes. Contrary to only one option to download e-Aadhaar, users will now have to choose between ‘regular’ and ‘masked’ Aadhaar.
An individual can download e-Aadhaar by visiting the UIDAI website https://uidai.gov.in/ or by visiting https://eaadhaar.uidai.gov.in.
There are three ways individuals can download e-Aadhaar. It can be done using the 28-digit enrollment number, by using the actual 12-digit Aadhaar number or using the virtual identification number.
