De-linking Aadhaar from Mobile number through KYC process
Posted on: 03/Oct/2018 11:51:21 AM
The Supreme Court’s decision against the section 57 created a big buzz all around the nation in terms of saving the privacy of people. Aadhaar based verification is not a mandatory field for buying SIM card. For the old customers to remove the Aadhaar linking to their phone numbers they have to go through another KYC procedure to complete the process.
The SC verdict for Telecom Service Providers (TSP) de-linking the Aadhaar information in their database for the customers. People who previously provided the Aadhaar information should submit other proofs to de-link the details from their mobile numbers. Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) ordered the telecom companies to de-link the 12 digit unique ID number in next 15 days including Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea and others providers.
TSPs should submit the plan of exiting the Aadhaar based verification of mobile numbers within October 15, 2018 in accordance with the Supreme Court’s order passed on September 26, 2018. SC also asked UIDAI to insist mobile operators to notify customers about the de-linking facility. Fresh KYC approval with other identity and address proof should be done within six months of the date of request for de-linking Aadhaar details from mobile numbers. UIDAI made a clear point that telecom operators cannot ask for any document to issue new SIM cards or re-verifying the existing ones.
The SC verdict will rule out the fear of data security and privacy breaching and the government takes the decision to form alternative mechanisms for verifying identifications. Aadhaar is still mandatory for some specific applications like LPG subsidy and others. Passport verification do not require Aadhaar information but it is mandatory for Tatkal scheme. Now many corporate bodies and private organizations can verify without Aadhaar details assuring the data security of their concerns.
