What is Masked Aadhaar Card? Masked Aadhaar is a privacy-enhancing feature of the Aadhaar identification system in India. This article explains what Masked Aadhaar is, its purpose, and how it contributes to protecting the personal information of Aadhaar holders.
What is Masked Aadhaar Card?
Masked Aadhaar is a privacy-focused version of the standard Aadhaar card, where the first eight digits of the 12-digit Aadhaar number are replaced with “xxxx-xxxx”, leaving only the last four digits visible. This feature was introduced by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to address privacy concerns and reduce the risk of Aadhaar number misuse.
The primary purpose of Masked Aadhaar is to protect the full Aadhaar number from unnecessary exposure while still allowing it to serve as a valid proof of identity. In many day-to-day situations, revealing the entire Aadhaar number is not necessary. The masked version provides a balance between maintaining the document’s utility and safeguarding personal information.
How Masked Aadhaar works?
- Format: In a Masked Aadhaar, the first eight digits appear as “xxxx-xxxx”, followed by the last four digits of the actual Aadhaar number.
- Validity: A Masked Aadhaar is just as valid as a regular Aadhaar for most purposes where Aadhaar is accepted as proof of identity.
- Downloadable: Aadhaar holders can easily download their Masked Aadhaar from the official UIDAI website or through the mAadhaar mobile app.
- Reversible: The masking is not permanent. When required, the full Aadhaar number can still be used for services that specifically need the complete number.
The introduction of Masked Aadhaar aligns with UIDAI’s commitment to data protection and privacy. It helps prevent potential misuse of the Aadhaar number in scenarios where it might be visible to others, such as when submitting photocopies for various services or displaying the card in public.
Using a Masked Aadhaar can be particularly beneficial in situations like:
- Providing identity proof for general purposes
- Submitting documents for job applications
- Verifying identity for non-critical services
For services that require the full Aadhaar number, such as opening a bank account or filing taxes, the unmasked version can still be used.
By offering Masked Aadhaar, UIDAI provides Aadhaar holders with greater control over their personal information, promoting responsible use of the Aadhaar system while maintaining its effectiveness as a universal identity document.
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