To provide an extra layer of privacy to Aadhaar, UIDAI has introduced an updated ‘QR code’ that holds non-sensitive details like name, address, photo, and date of birth, and can be used for offline user verification without the 12-digit ID number. UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey said QR code is a form of barcode label which contains machine-readable information. He said Aadhaar holders can download and print their biometric ID with the QR code from the website of Unique Identification Authority of India or its mobile app.
Mr Pandey said the offline QR code is a landmark development which will allow everyone to establish their identity through offline verification without giving out Aadhaar number. Meanwhile, UIDAI dismissed concerns that it might use Aadhaar data analysis in the future.
In a statement, UIDAI clarified that the media reports published yesterday quoting UIDAI’s Counsel Rakesh Dwivedi’s argument in the Supreme Court that Google is trying to fail Aadhaar is not correct.
It said Mr Dwivedi had submitted that as far as Google, Facebook and Twitter are concerned, they cannot be compared with Aadhaar due to the nature of the information being different and also due to the difference in the nature of algorithms being used.
Drawing a distinction between itself and such companies, it said Aadhaar is only matching biometrics, while the other global companies are using learning tools for analysis of data which creates knowledge.
Moreover, UIDAI said law prohibits it from doing any such analysis and therefore there is no scope of surveillance of any kind. It said UIDAI does not permit any Requesting Entity (RE) to collect and analyse Aadhaar data and use the same for any commercial uses. UIDAI said a certain section of people is creating “imaginary fear” to “fail” the national ID programme.