As we use our Aadhaar numbers more and more to link everything that we use. Our Aadhaar cards hold all of our essential details. The leak of these details could really jeopardise our daily lives. With the most recent high-profile case of Paytm. Where Bloomberg reported that Paytm may be sending their user’s data to investors in China. After this case, the concerns grew larger. The government introduced Aadhaar as an identification proof back in 2010. With it seeing a wide adoption by 2018. The use of information in the Aadhaar Card is governed by the Aadhaar Act, 2016. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is responsible for issuing new Aadhaar cards. If you are looking to start a business then you must know about e-KYC and Virtual ID. In this article, we will tell you all about the Virtual ID (VID) of Aadhaar number holder.
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What is KYC?
KYC stands for, Know Your Customer. KYC is designed to protect your company from fraud, corruption, etc. If you have brought a mobile sim card in recent time then you will know about the process of e-KYC. KYC involves several steps to establish the customer’s identity. It is so that they can understand the nature of the customers’ activities. Further, it is also used to qualify the customer’s credentials. The RBI also issued regulatory guidelines for KYC, in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. So that, they can monitor the transfer of funds more effectively. Which is used to stop money laundering and terrorism. Further, it is to ensure the personal ITR filings and TDS filing.
Aadhaar Virtual ID (VID)
Now an Aadhaar cardholder can use VID instead of their Aadhaar number. A VID is a unique 16-digit number that is generated at random. After which it’s assigned to a user. VID gives limited KYC to some relevant agencies. UIDAI has made it mandatory for all Aadhaar agencies to accept VID for, the purpose of Aadhaar-authentication. This has been in effect since, 1st June 2018. A user can generate their VID through the UIDAI portal. However, an Aadhaar card number is essential to generate a VID. Though, the VID generated is temporary. You will have to re-generate it after it expires.
The purpose of Virtual ID(VID)
There have been a number of claims of Aadhaar Data being leaked. People have a growing concern about the Aadhaar details. The UIDAI created VID to address this issue. An agency can not use the VID to get your Aadhaar number. Thus, your Aadhaar details are protected. No one can access them through your VID. You can use your VID to authenticate for a service. Once you’ve authenticated the service you can re-generate the VID. This renders the details with the agency useless.
Generating Virtual ID(VID)
You need to have your mobile number registered with UIDAI. Because, the VID will be sent to your mobile number via text. If you haven’t registered your mobile number with the UIDAI. First, you have to register your mobile number. You can generate your VID by doing the following steps,
- Visit the UIDAI’s website
- Click on the ‘Virtual ID (VID) Generator’ from the Aadhaar services section
- This will take you to the VID generation page
- You will have to enter your Aadhaar number
- Then click on the ‘send OTP’ icon
- You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number
- Enter the OTP
- Select between the ‘Generate VID’ or ‘Retrieve VID’ option as per your needs
- Then click on the ‘Verify & Proceed’ icon
- You will see a message on your screen
- You will receive a message on your registered mobile number with your VID.
Or, you can also use the mAadhaar app. You can do the following steps,
- Go to the App store
- Download the mAadhaar app
- Log in to the app
- Click on ‘Generate Virtual ID’
- Enter your Aadhaar number
- Click on the “Request OTP’ icon
- You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number
- Enter the OTP
- Click on the ‘Generate OTP’ icon
- You will receive your VID
Features of Virtual ID(VID)
The UIDAI has taken several steps to ensure the security of your data. It has made many upgrades to its system. The VID is a part of that. Some features of VIDs are,
- It is temporary
- It is a 16-digit number assigned to a user randomly
- You can only have one VID at a time
- VIDs can’t be used to get your Aadhaar number
- It isnot compulsory to generate a VID
- It provides limited KYC to agencies
- There is no limit to the number of VIDs you can create
- No agency can store your VID or any other Aadhaar details
- When you generate a new VID, the old one becomes invalid
Conclusion
The UIDAI has introduced the feature of VIDs to ensure your data security. VIDs increase your data security. It enables authentication by providing the authorised agencies with just enough data. This data includes, your name, address and photograph. You can now use VIDs instead of your Aadhaar number in several places. This will be the most secure thing for your user data. Further, you don’t have to worry about your Aadhaar number being leaked.
