UIDAI Launches mAadhaar App; Allows User To Carry Aadhaar Card On Mobile

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has launched a mobile app for Aadhaar card users called mAadhaar. The app will allow users to use their cards without carrying them in a physical form.

Users of the mAadhaar app will have all their requisite Aadhaar details on the app. All card-linked information like name, date of birth, gender, and address, photograph, etc. will be available on the mAadhaar app.

Announcing the launch on its twitter handle, the UIDAI stated –

Download #mAadhaar from https://t.co/6o4DdtWs3B on any android phone running on Android 5.0 & up. Registered Mob. No. required to sign-up. pic.twitter.com/J60Q5vC7M2

— Aadhaar (@UIDAI) July 19, 2017

The mAadhaar app is currently available for Android users only, and it is in beta stage. This launch will be followed by other feature updates. The free version of the app is available on Google Play.

To register, users need to log in with the same mobile number as the one specified in the account details. Once logged in, the app will allow users to check status, download the card, lock and unlock biometrics, generate time-based passwords, etc.

In February 2017, UIDAI reportedly shut down 12 websites and 12 apps available on Google Play store. These apps and websites were allegedly offering Aadhaar-related services illegally and charging excessive money from the public.

Currently, any Aadhaar-related demographic information can only be shared following the procedures laid down in the Aadhaar Act of 2016. Any violation of this provision is punishable under Section 38 and Chapter VII of the Aadhaar Act. Citizens are advised to visit the official website for any services related to it.

The UIDAI features have always been marred by spammers and fake apps. Therefore, users should be careful of only downloading the authentic UIDAI mAadhaar app (developer name – Unique Identification Authority of India) to avoid data theft.

(The development was reported by NDTV)