How to Protect Your Aadhaar Details from Getting Hacked
There is no doubt that many people have complained about Aadhaar being prone to hacking attempts, given that the database is accessible to private agencies, there are still ways one can protect the biometric information of their Aadhaar without relying on the government for do something.
If you visit the Aadhaar website, there is a facility by which one can actually lock the biometric details to prevent unauthorised access or hacking of your details. Once the details are locked, no one will be able to unlock and hack it. And only when you unlock the biometric details it will be available for anyone to access.
The ultimate key
Registration of Aadhaar entailed people giving their biometrics to UIDAI. No doubt that the government has found many uses for these—it is being used for PDS, registrations, eKYC and most recently payments – many people has complained about the data being unsafe as private agencies who has the access of data handled many services. But there is a solution  for this.
You can easily lock or unlock your details by registering on the UIDAI website. But to be able to do so you first need to register your mobile number with UIDAI and link it with Aadhaar (if not already done). Once the mobile number is linked with Aadhaar (this can only be done from UIDAI enrollment centre) one needs to go to the UIDAI website (uidai.gov.in) and login using Aadhaar number.
Upon receiving the one-time password to your mobile, as is customary with most payments, which will allow access to your Aadhaar details. Upon accessing those details you can use the tab for locking and unlocking Aadhaar information.
A click on the checkbox ‘Enable Aadhaar Lock’ will lock Aadhaar information.
Locked for good
The locking feature doesn’t allow any of the service centres to use your biometric details, thus locking you out of the entire UIDAI network. Further this you will not be able to use any of the services and even your biometric details will not be accepted at any of the service centres, unless you unlock it by your own.
Once in the unlock mode, you can access it only for 20 minutes after which the service would be locked again keeping everybody out of the system. Basically, the feature reduces the time and opportunity for hackers to just 20 minutes.
Key solution
Although Aadhaar locking provides an option to secure your data, there are some drawbacks to the service related to efficiency of the system. The OTP feature, at times, is not as fast as you would expect it to be, for you to enable or disable the service using the uidai.gov.in website. Also, such a utility would be more meaningful if there was a mobile app connected to the system, with a shorter window of unlocking the details.
However the government has not promoted this feature well enough like many of its offerings, allowing people to criticise the safety aspect. A major step which would gain some appreciation to the government could be to promote the merits and feature of this service.
However there is a app known as M aadhar which also locks t biometric details also it is valid for all verification purposes
Why does one need to open one’s Aadhar biometrics? I see no occasion. Once the Aadhar data at the time of applying is fed and accepted. It should automatically get locked into database. This would ensure no stealing of data even by agency operators. All other agencies whether banks insurance companies, telecoms. If some banks accept just the no. Why not public sector banks. This would have avoided unnecessary harassment to public.
This also will be better to deliver a copy of ones bio-metric details when it taken by our government through a certain verification process to the related and prominent person. And all continental level services will hope to be included with this one unique identification number. Like as Economical accelerations, International Relationship Generation with the other related countries, Indian deep citizenship proof, and it will be an address proof of our central government also. to lead a multidocumental hasertfull legalization procedure. Its nuthing but a comment and a general hope to our Indian central Goernment when it’s an unique Identification Number.
Thanks and Regards.
It is a kind of harrassment to Aadhar holders in general & senior citizens in particular. Every time one cannot keep track of locking n unlocking.
Exactly…. If they are unable to secure the details provided by the people, then why the hell they are asking to get Aadhar and link it.. Just wasting our Tax money and the projects out of these are huge profits to them…
What the hell is being done by Govt for cyber security in respect of Ashar.
Govt.should take accountabilities for adhar card and protcts it self and no more harassment to people. Govt. has failed to protect collected data from people. Govt itsves do act as one kind of slavery to people. This should be stopped and in future no such personal details should be called without any security.
Data Base on all INDIA Basis collected to fight elections and other political reasons , not for your or my benefit.
Once again like Demonitisation, no home work done, being thrust for reasons best known to who ever is behind it
Cheers