UIDAI rolls out new security Mechanism for Aadhar

March 20, 2023

To deal with faster detection of spoofing attempts, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has implemented a two-layer authentication system to ensure that originality of fingerprints is captured in a more fool-proof manner.
- The Artificial intelligence -based mechanism captures both the fingerprint image and finger minutia (major features of a fingerprint image).
Development comes amid concerns raised against possible misuse of Aadhar because of issues like:
- Aadhaar system treats all 10 fingerprints as one entity, hence by varying a set of fingers a new ID can be created.
- System is unable to differentiate between a real fingerprint and a silicon imprint.
- It does not conduct facial biometrics match while creating ID’s, thus allowing a same person to obtain different Aadhaar using mixed fingerprints.
Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identity number that can be obtained by residents of India, based on their biometric and demographic data.
It is issued by UIDAI, a statutory authority under Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, on behalf of Government of India.
In 2018, Supreme Court (SC) while upholding the Aadhar scheme as constitutionally valid provided certain riders regarding its use for various services.
- Aadhaar cannot be made mandatory: for openings of a bank account and for getting mobile connections, for school admission.
- Private companies cannot ask for Aadhaar.