Your Aadhaar card contains sensitive data. It records your demographic details, iris scan, fingerprints, and much other sensitive information. If fallen in the wrong hands, it can cost you a lot. Various fraudulent activities can be carried out if this data gets leaked. To avoid being a victim of any such defrauding, it is important to be careful with how you use your Aadhaar. Some measures can be taken to safeguard your data. You can lock or unlock your Aadhaar card biometric as per your convenience. Let’s understand what an aadhar biometric is and how we can lock and unlock it.
What is an Aadhaar biometric?
Aadhaar biometric details contain your iris scans, the fingerprints of all your ten fingers, and your photograph. The purpose of storing these details is for the validation of the identity of the Aadhaar card holder wherever it is required. Aadhar authentication is a digital platform used to verify the user in an instant. While this technology has made it convenient to keep track of the data and use it to the people’s advantage, it also comes with a set of security issues. Any such sensitive information about people acts as an invitation to fraud. To add an extra layer of protection to your data, UIDAI now offers the facility to lock or unlock your Aadhaar card biometric data.
How tolock Aadhaar biometric data
There are two ways through which you can lock your Aadhaar biometric data. One is through the UIDAI portal, and the other is through the mAadhaar app.
Below are the steps to lock your Aadhaar biometrics through UIDAI online:
- Visit the UIDAI portal, i.e., www.uidai.gov.in
- Go to ‘Aadhaar online services on the home page
- Click on ‘Lock/Unlock Biometrics’ from the options under Aadhaar services
- Click ‘OK’ on the pop-up that appears on the screen
- Under the Login using Aadhaar section, enter your 12 digit Aadhaar number and enter the captcha security code
- Click on ‘send OTP’ to proceed (Remember the OTP will be sent to your registered contact number)
- Enter the OTP in the provided section and click on ‘Login.’
- Enter the security code mentioned on the appeared screen and click ‘Enable.’
Below are the steps to lock your Aadhaar biometrics through the mAadhaar app:
- Download the mAadhar application from the play store and register on it.
- Go to the ‘My Aadhar’ option from the four options given at the bottom of the screen.
- Enter the password that you set at the time of the registration.
- Scroll down the options below the Aadhar card that appears on the screen and select ‘Set Aadhaar Lock.’
- A screen will appear stating that VID is mandatory for Aadhaar lock/unlock; click ‘OK’ on the same.
- If you do not have a virtual ID, select ‘Get Virtual ID’ (you can skip this step if you already have a virtual ID).
- Enter your Aadhaar number and the security captcha code and click on ‘request OTP.’
- Enter the OTP and click ‘verify.’
- Your virtual ID will appear on the screen; make sure to note it down somewhere or take a screenshot of it.
- Go to ‘My Aadhar’ again from the home page, and this time, click on ‘I have virtual ID’ after selecting the Set Aadhar Lock option.
- Enter your Aadhar number and the captcha code again and click on ‘request OTP.’
- Enter the OTP, and your Aadhar will be locked!
Your biometrics will be locked with these few simple steps. You will not be able to use Aadhaar-based biometric authentication for any service post this unless you perform the required steps for Aadhar biometric unlock.
How to unlock Aadhar biometric data
There are two ways to unlock your Aadhar biometric data. UIDAI offers it on its website, and the mAadhaar app offers it on its mobile application.
Below are the steps to unlock your Aadhaar biometrics through the UIDAI website:
- Go to the UIDAI website, i.e., www.uidai.gov.in.
- Go to ‘Aadhaar online services on the home page.
- Click on ‘Lock/Unlock Biometrics’ from the options under the Aadhaar services.
- Under the Login using the Aadhaar section, enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and enter the captcha security code.
- Click on ‘send OTP’ to proceed.
- Enter the OTP received on your registered number and click on ‘submit.’
- A screen will appear saying ‘your biometric is locked’ click on ‘Unlock biometric,’ and your biometric will be unlocked successfully.
Below are the steps to unlock your Aadhaar biometrics through the mAadhaar app:
- Open the mAadhar app on your phone
- Log in to the ap
- Go to ‘My Aadhar’ from the four options available at the bottom of the screen
- Scroll down to ‘Aadhaar Lock’ below the Aadhaar card appearing on the screen and select it
- A pop-up saying ‘Do you wish to unlock your Aadhaar?’ will appear on the screen; click ‘Yes.’
- Enter your virtual ID number and the security Captcha code and click on ‘request OTP.’
- Enter the OTP sent to your registered number and select ‘Verify,’ and your Aadhar unlock process will be completed.
Once you unlock the biometric, it will automatically be locked again in 10 minutes. You will also be shown the time when it gets locked automatically on the screen upon successful Aadhar unlock biometric. You can use your biometric for authentication in the meantime.
Conclusion
Aadhar biometric can be used for instant authentication purposes of an Aadhaar card holder. While this technology is pretty useful and has made verification processes extremely convenient and quick, it also should be used with caution. An Aadhaar contains sensitive personal information of an individual, such as demographic details, biometric details, etc. Such information needs to be used with care and protected with utmost security. To add to the security of your Aadar biometric details, you can lock them and unlock them later whenever you are required to appear for identity verification. You can lock/unlock your biometric details through the UIDAI website or the mAadhaar app. The details, once unlocked, will be automatically locked again and therefore safeguards your information.