Leaked Aadhaar Details? Bank Account cannot be Hacked

As per the recent update by the Aadhaar issuing authority – Unique Identification Authority of India, there is no hacking threat on a bank account in case your Aadhaar Card is leaked. For Instance, like money cannot be withdrawn from your ATM Card number from an ATM machine without a PIN, similarly, your bank account cannot be hacked through Aadhaar Number assures UIDAI.

The UIDAI in order to remove this confusion among the Aadhaar Cardholders has once again clarified that only through an Aadhaar Number or its details, the money from your bank account cannot be withdrawn as other details such as OTP, Debit Card, PIN, etc. will also be required.

However, let us now discuss in detail what are the ways to prevent your Aadhaar data and other protection security measures.

What are Aadhaar Data Protection Security Measures by UIDAI?

The following protection security measures for Aadhar Data are taken into account by the Unique Identification Authority of India:

• All the information of the Aadhaar holders is absolutely safe and secure in the Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR) of UIDAI and according to UIDAI, the Aadhaar database in CIDR has never been breached in all these years of its existence
• In order to follow the transparency protocols, some organizations have also published their beneficiary data on their respective websites including the Aadhaar details. However, UIDAI ensures that no agency or organization unnecessarily include Aadhaar in any matter
• Advanced security technologies are used by the UIDAI in order to keep the data of the Aadhaar Cardholders safe and secure. They also keep on upgrading them for the purpose of various threats and challenges.

How to Check if your Aadhaar Card was Misused?

In recent times, to ensure the safety of Aadhaar details and if your Aadhaar Card is not misused, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) provides the facility of checking where your Aadhaar Card is used. 

As per the official website of UIDAI, you can use the ‘Aadhaar Authentication Service History’ tool to check all the details about your Aadhaar Card.  Aadhaar Authentication is basically a process where the cardholder has to provide an Aadhaar Number along with other attributes i.e. biometrics to the Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR) for the purpose of verification. 

 The process to check where Aadhaar Card is mentioned in the following steps:

Step 1:  Visit the official website of UIDAI i.e.  https://uidai.gov.in/ 

Step 2: Under ‘My Aadhaar’ you need to find the ‘Aadhaar Services’ option and then select the ‘Aadhaar Authentication History’ option

Step 3: Once done, you will be redirected to a new page where you have to enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number 

Step 4: You need to enter the ‘CAPTCHA Code’ from the given box

Step 5: Now, click on the ‘Generate OTP’ button which will be opened on the new page

Step 6:  You will find a few options i.e. to choose the period of information and the number of previous transactions

Step 7: Enter the OTP sent on your registered mobile via an SMS to proceed further

Step 8: All the details relating to your Aadhaar Card such as the date, time, and type of the Aadhaar authentication requests made in the past made in the time period (maximum 50 transactions are allowed at a time) you earlier selected will appear on your screen

Note: You can only view the authentication history of transactions that are not more than 6 months old

How to Prevent Aadhaar Number Leakage?

To prevent your Aadhaar Number from getting leaked, you must follow the following measures:

In case you find that your Aadhaar Card has been misused, you can also avail the online facility of ‘Lock Aadhaar Card’ provided by The Unique Identification Authority of India and later unlock it whenever you want to use your Aadhaar Card. 

For locking your Aadhaar Number you can send an SMS for an OTP request i.e. ‘Get  OTP Last 4 or 8 Digit’ of the Aadhaar Number and later send a request to lock your Aadhaar i.e.  ‘Lock UID Last 4 or 8 Digit of Aadhaar Number 6 Digit OTP’.

Moreover, for unlocking the Aadhaar Number via an SMS service you should have your latest virtual ID (latest) and send an OTP request with ‘last 6 or 10 Digit of Virtual ID number as Get OTP Last 6 or 10 Digit Virtual ID’ and later send a request to unlock your Aadhaar i.e. ‘Unlock Last  6 or 10 Digit Virtual ID 6 Digit OTP’.

Also Read: How to lock or unlock your Aadhaar Biometrics online?

What is an Alternative to an Aadhaar Card?  

An Aadhaar Card is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). This is one of the most important documents which serves as proof of identity and proof of address, but it is not a citizenship document. 

As of now, there’s no alternative to an Aadhaar Card and without an Aadhaar Card, it is quite difficult to avail benefits of government subsidies or opening a bank account,  filing an Income Tax Returns (PAN-Aadhaar linking is mandatory), mutual funds, fixed deposit, phone connection, gas connection, etc. 

Queries/Questions

Let us know the various questions and queries that keep coming in the mind of the Aadhaar Cardholder from time to time.

1. UIDAI consists of all the data such as biometrics, bank account, PAN, etc. Will the activities be tracked?

No, the activities cannot be tracked since you only provide your basic details at the time of Aadhaar Enrolment or Aadhaar Update such as your name, date of birth, gender, phone number, fingerprints, IRIS Scan, etc.  UIDAI does not have any other information about your bank accounts or PAN. Moreover, as per Section 32(3) of the Aadhaar Act 2016, UIDAI strictly prohibits the controlling, collecting, keeping, or maintaining of any data for the authentication purpose either by UIDAI itself or via an entity.

2. While linking my bank account, mutual funds, PAN Card, mobile number with an Aadhaar Card, will UIDAI not get the information?

No, while linking your bank account, mutual funds, PAN Card, mobile number with an Aadhaar Card, the UIDAI will not get your information as only Aadhaar Number, basic details such as your name, date of birth, biometrics are shared with UIDAI in order to verify your identity. According to UIDAI, such verification requests are responded to through either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.

3. Is it compulsory to link a bank account with Aadhaar?

If you want to avail any benefit or subsidy under any scheme notified under section 7 of the Aadhaar Act 2016 and as per the Prevention of Money-laundering (Maintenance of Records) Third Amendment Rules, 2019, it is mandatory for you to link your Aadhaar number with your bank account.