Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is working on measures to add extra layer of privacy to Aadhar and hence has come up with an updated “QR code” to hold details like name, address, photo and date of birth that will help in offline user verification without the need of 12 digit ID, as confirmed from the sources.
While Aadhar is increasingly becoming popular as a universal national ID, QR code mechanism will further aid in easy offline check while safeguarding user’s privacy from any third party theft or misuse of personal information.
This would be particularly helpful in establishing the identity with non-statutory identities such as during the verification of online shopping portals when delivering goods.
For example: When an online delivery man asks for user’s id while making a delivery, the user can present him the printed QR code that would scan (through an updated QR code reader on Aadhaar site) down non-sensitive information.
Ajay Bhushan Pandey, CEO at UIDAI, Aadhar Issuing body said,
The offline QR code is a benchmark development that will make it super easy for everyone to establish their identity via offline verification without the need of giving their Aadhar number.
He also informed that one will have to go through the authentication process, only in places where Aadhar number is mandatory under law including banks, telecom companies, or for availing subsidies.