Collection And Storage Of Aadhaar Data | Things To Look Out For

1. INTRODUCTION

The Unique Identification Authority of India ("UIDAI") was set up under the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 ("Aadhaar Act") to issue the 12-digit unique identity number ("Aadhaar Number") (indicated on a card and hereinafter referred to as the "Aadhaar Card") to all residents in India.¹ The UIDAI has already issued Aadhaar Numbers to over 1.3 billion residents of India.² Introduced with the objectives of (i) eliminating the risk of fake identities and (ii) providing cost effective means of verification and authentication of the identity of an individual, Aadhaar Cards have found widespread acceptability in India. Despite the Supreme Court of India ruling that the furnishing of Aadhaar Cards cannot be mandated unless required by a law in force,³ Aadhaar Cards continue to be one of the most frequently used and accepted identity and address proof documents