What is Masked Aadhaar and why you should use it only for KYC or as identity proof in hotels, airports, banks and other places

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Aadhaar-based fraud, where criminals use stolen Aadhaar numbers for financial gain or unauthorised access to services, is a growing concern, reports have suggested. In order to curb the misuse of Aadhaar numbers, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) introduced masked Aadhaar. Here’s all you need to know about it.

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What is Masked Aadhaar and why citizens should use it

Masked Aadhaar has been introduced by the UIDAI to enhance your privacy and reduce the risk of Aadhaar misuse. It hides the first eight digits (of the total 12) of Aadhaar number, replacing them with ‘X’s. This prevents others from seeing your full Aadhaar number while still allowing citizens to use it for identification purposes.

The need for using Masked Aadhaar emerges as criminals are using increasingly sophisticated methods to bypass traditional security measures like OTPs and bank details to scam citizens by exploiting the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS). Fraudsters are using techniques like silicon fingerprints and unauthorised devices to duplicate Aadhaar-linked biometrics, allowing them to steal money directly from victims’ bank accounts.

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Key features of Masked Aadhaar:

• Increased privacy: Protects Aadhaar number from unauthorised access.
• Reduced risk of fraud: Makes it more difficult for criminals to misuse Aadhaar information.
• Equally valid: Just as acceptable as other Aadhaar formats (Aadhaar letter, PVC card, eAadhaar, mAadhaar).
• Easy to obtain: Can be downloaded online from the UIDAI website.

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How to download Masked Aadhaar

In order to download Masked Aadhar, you can follow these steps:

• Visit the official UIDAI website at https://uidai.gov.in/.
• Click on “Download Aadhaar” under “My Aadhaar” section,
• In the new page, enter 12-digit Aadhaar number or 16-digit Virtual ID (VID), along with other required details.
• In the “Select your preference” section, choose the “Masked Aadhaar” option.
• Select the option to receive an One-Time Password (OTP) on your registered mobile number.
• Enter the OTP to complete the verification process.
• Masked Aadhaar will then be available for download in a password-protected PDF format.

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