New Aadhaar App Makes Identity Verification Fast, Secure & Effortless—Just Like UPI

Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has launched a new Aadhaar mobile application (currently beta) to accelerate Digital Empowerment and make it even more private. The aim of this app is to simplify the Aadhaar verification processes as simple as that of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions.

Features of the new Aadhaar app.

1. Facial Authentication for Enhanced Security

The app brings facial recognition technology in its arsenal which can let people authenticate their very own identity without any physical Aadhaar card or even a photocopy. The purpose of this feature is to provide the user a secure contactless verification.

This helps user stay safe both from data loss occurring during public transmission, and ensures user convenience at the same time. 

2. QR Code-Based Verification

Hence, users can validate their identity merely through a QR code showed by service providers. This technique allows individuals to completely remove the need to provide physical copies of Aadhaar card reducing the threat of data misuse and also the time period to verify. 

3. Selective Data Sharing

Users can only share specific fields of information- name, address, number, etc. based on the service provider’s requirement. This type of selective sharing will keep users in control and able to manage their own personal data, making them for more private and safer. ​

4. Elimination of Physical Document Submission

Using the new app, now users will not have to keep going or submitting physical copies of their Aadhaar card and use it at hotels, airports and other service points. Based on this digital approach, this process is less cumbersome but also mitigates the risk of handling physical document. ​

5. Virtual ID Generation

The app helps in the process of generation of 16 digit Virtual ID (VID) which enables them to authenticate their identity without revealing their real Aadhaar number. This feature gives an additional layer of security, to protect the user from possible identity theft. ​

Availability and Future Rollout

Till now, the App is extended only to a selected group of users, participating in the Aadhaar Samvaad series. Based on the public feedback and feedback during the beta testing phase, UIDAI plans to make the service available for the general public. ​

​The new Aadhar app is being tested and gains the participant’s feedback so as to refine and come up with a user-centric experience. The agency intends to address possible hurdles and augment the app’s functionality as per its utilization in reality.

The reason we iterated on this product is because UIDAI understands that it is important for us to deliver a robust and secure digital identity verification tool that meets the diverse needs of people in India.​

If the Aadhaar app is implemented successfully, it can create a trend of broader adoption of digital identity solutions in other sectors as well. The app has the ability of streamlining verification processes thereby enhancing data security and at the same transforming how we interact with services such as banking, telecommunications, travel and e-commerce.

Stakeholders expect a big stride in India’s journey to a digitally empowered society as UIDAI looks ahead for wider rollout.​

Implications for Users and Service Providers

Introducing this app is a massive change towards digital identification confirmation which follows the government’s Digital India ideal. The benefit for users is an easy, secure, and privacy focused way of verifying identity. On the other hand, service providers can also ease their verification procedures, remove paperwork, and improve customer experience.​

With the new Aadhaar application that incorporates advanced technologies such as facial recognition and QR code scanning, the future for digital identity solutions are automatically being set as this application is ensuring that the user have utmost control and their data are secure.​