New Aadhaar App: Currently, if there is one-stop identification for citizens in India, it is the Aadhaar Card, a system that was brought into effect from January 2009, and by now, 1.44 billion Aadhaar Card numbers have been generated, according to Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) data.
Now the statutory body has launched another Aadhaar app, which is much more secure than the previous mAadhaar app, with its full version already rolled out with a number of new features. This new app also builds on the principles laid down in the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act and aims to strengthen the government's push for broader privacy provisions and give users more control over their data overall, so let's take a deep dive in.
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New Aadhaar App And Its Latest Features
We are in an era of a paperless economy, be it cash or identification, and this new app builds exactly upon that notion for smooth, paperless identity verification that can be used at various points of contact. Although you will not need to transfer your whole account from the previous mAadhaar app, you can register as a new user in this latest app. All you need to do is enter your Aadhaar number and use face authentication.
The older mAaadhaar app is still functioning but will slowly phase out, and the new app has the goal of reducing sharing extra redundant details for routine verification processes, like hotels, hospital visits, age verification, or getting services like mobile SIMs, etc.
For amped-up security, depending on what services a person is going to access, users might be prompted to complete face authentication or QR-based verification instead of carrying a physical copy everywhere or giving out photocopies. The main goal is minimisation of data sharing, adhering to the principles enshrined in the DPDP Act.
Users have the option to select what they want to share in their Aadhaar details according to the service they are using without the need to give out all the information at points of contact for verification in various places. Apart from that, users can also lock/unlock their biometrics from the app itself and also keep an eye on their authentication history to keep track of if any fraudulent activity is taking place using their identity.
Another useful feature is users will be able to manage multiple profiles on a single device, which will be handy if you have dependants, like children or elderly parents. Another useful feature is updating your credentials through your own device, and this includes details like phone number and address. This is a good step in the right direction, as visiting Aadhar centres could be a hassle for working professionals and might be time-consuming at times.
How To Set Up The New Aadhaar App: A Step-By-Step Guide
Step 1: Download the official Aadhaar app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and open it on your smartphone.
Step 2: Choose the language you want to use within the app.
Step 3: Enter the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar card.
Step 4: Verify the number by entering the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
Step 5: Complete the Face Authentication process when prompted. This is a mandatory security step during setup.
Step 6: Create a six-digit security PIN for the app. You can also enable biometric authentication for easier access later.
Step 7: Add your Aadhaar details and complete the additional OTP verification required by the app.
Step 8: Once the verification process is finished, your account will be activated and you can start using the Aadhaar services available through the app.
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Once the verification process is completed successfully, your account will be activated and you can start using all the services available through the app.
UIDAI has said that more features will make their way to the latest Aadhaar app in future updates to ease usage; for now it would be smart to switch to these services.