Are mysterious mobile numbers linked with your Aadhaar Number??

      

          UIDAI CEO Ajay Pandey has informed to public at large that UIDAI has advised all telecom companies operating in India to enable a facility that will allow subscribers to check the mobile SIMs which are linked to their Aadhaar number.

The primary reason for this facility is to guard Aadhaar Numbers being linked to unauthorized mobiles.

Instead of the word ‘unauthorised’, the words ‘unknown’, or ‘mysterious’, are more apt.

UIDAI provides an ‘Aadhaar authentication history’, tool to enable Aadhaar holders to verify when their Aadhaar number was verified. However as UIDAI does not store the authentication purpose, it is of limited usage.

Aadhaar is becoming the default identity proof of residents by various government and non-government entities.

          Telecom companies have been mandated to link the cellphone SIMS with Aadhaar Numbers. This is to establish the identity of mobile phone users.

Against the 142.9 crore active mobile subscribers, in 85.7 crore cases the mobile connections have already been linked with Aadhaar.

And, it is here where the problems have surfaced. UIDAI came to know about some retailers, operators and agents of telecom companies allegedly misusing Aadhaar authentication facility to issue new SIMs or for re-verification of numbers other than that of the Aadhaar holder. Such complaints must have reached a very high number for UIDAI to take corrective steps.

When contacted, UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey told PTI, “In order, for people, to know which mobile number is linked to Aadhaar, all telecom operators have been asked to provide this service to their customers by March 15.”

Hence, UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) has directed all telecom operators to provide a facility that will enable their subscribers to check if the mobile SIMs are linked with their Aadhaar number, a step to guard against any unauthorised use.

UIDAI has directed telcos to make the new facility available to subscribers by March 15.

The telcos have been asked to provide the facility, including SMS-based offering that will allow their subscribers to check whether their mobile number is linked with Aadhaar as well as information on other mobile numbers is issued or verified against that Aadhaar number.

As the deadline approaches, there would be more clarity on the exact process flow including the redressal channel.

Once the process goes live, it is advisable for every mobile holder to make use of this facility atleast once every week.

This is best way to safeguard your Aadhaar number.

Would it be better to integrate this facility into ‘Mycall’ Trai App??

Additional Reading:

How to Check Aadhaar Authentication History Online

Aadhaar linking to bank accounts, welfare services may be extended beyond March 31

Regulatory policies must change to cater to digital world: Trai chief

   

The Aadhaar Digital Account-On the way

          By now majority of Indians are familiar with Aadhaar. Aadhaar has begun to permeate our daily life. In a typical day, we hear the word ‘Aadhaar’, at least once. The context may be financial or non-financial.

          As more and more sectors discover the benefits Aadhaar can provide to their daily routine, the word Aadhaar will be heard more and more.

          Not only in the Government sector but in the private sector numerous discussions are taking place on the immense possibilities of Aadhaar.

          In the next couple of years, Aadhaar Number Holders in India will be able to use Aadhaar for a number of non-financial authentication services.

         

Q: What is Aadhaar authentication?

Ans:Aadhaar authentication is the process wherein Aadhaar number, along with other attributes (demographic and/or biometrics and/or OTP) is submitted to UIDAI’s Central Identities Data Repository (CIDR) for verification; the CIDR verifies whether the data submitted matches the data available in CIDR and responds with a “yes/no”. No personal identity information is returned as part of the response.

Q: When do I need to authenticate?

Ans: Various service providers, such as PDS, NREGA, banks, are expected to link Aadhaar authentication to their services. Residents would need to authenticate either at the time of subscribing to the service or at the time of availing service delivery, as required by the service providers. This would benefit the residents as no one else can avail the benefits meant for a particular resident.

          Now, the most interesting part:::

Q: Is there a mechanism to notify the residents when an authentication occurs against their Aadhaar number?

Ans: UIDAI has an sms and email based notification mechanism. Through this mechanism, every time CIDR receives an authentication request against an Aadhaar number, a notification will be sent to the registered mobile / email address.

UIDAI will also provide a facility wherein residents can request the history of authentication requests for a specified period of time

Source: UIDAI Website

          The ANH need not be present at the authentication site, if the Biometric authentication method is not being used.

          The ANH may or may need not be present at the authentication site, if the OTP authentication method is being used. This is because the OTP will flow to the registered mobile number of the ANH and the mobile can be held by a non ANH too.

          The ANH need not be present at the authentication site, if the demographic authentication method is being used.

          Hence the need to quickly open up Aadhaar Digital Accounts. The ANHs need to have a record of all authentication requests on their Aadhaar Number. This ADA will act as an important verification mechanism in case of any disputes at a later date.

          It is expected that Aadhaar authentication services will be enabled only to registered agencies.       

Outline of ADA:-

01)  The Login ID would the Aadhaar Number itself.

02) Password can be static or dynamic. Static means the ANH will key in every time with his/her registered password. Dynamic means an OTP to the ANHs registered mobile in CIRD. For additional security the combination of static and dynamic too can be implemented.

03) All the authentications requests whether self-initiated or third-party initiated will be available.

04) The following data to be visible as part of the Authentication request:

A)   Mode

B)    Time

C)    Location

D)   Requestor

E)    Any other details as decided

05)  Print Option

06)  No Save option to external media