After report of Aadhar details being sold, UIDAI issues virtual IDs

Days after a media report that Aadhaar details were being sold for as little as Rs 500, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on Wednesday introduced virtual IDs for Aadhar holders which can be used in lieu of a person's Aadhaar number. 

The ID can be generated from UIDAI the website and will eliminate the need to share the 12-digit biometric ID.

The virtual ID will be a random 16 digit number which will provide limited details like the name, address, and photograph of the holder. 

The user can generate as many virtual IDs as he or she wants. The previous ID will get deleted once the new one is generated. 

UIDAI said Wednesday it would "also introduce limited KYC service that does not return Aadhaar number and only provides an "agency specific" unique UID token to eliminate many agencies storing Aadhaar number while still enabling their own paperless KYC".

The temporary and revocable 16 digit number will be in use from March 1, 2018. It will be mandatory for all agencies that undertake authentication from June 1, 2018.

The UIDAI has advised all agencies using its authentication and eKYC services to ensure Aadhaar holders can provide the 16- digit Virtual ID instead of Aadhaar number within their application. 

Agencies not adhering to the new Virtual ID will bear financial disincentives.

Also, agencies undertaking authentication would not be allowed to generate the Virtual ID on behalf of the Aadhaar holder. 

The IDs can be given to the agencies along with fingerprint at the time of authentication.