DoT To Use Aadhaar Numbers For SIM Proof

DoT To Use Aadhaar Numbers For SIM Proof: Home Ministry Not In Favour of Latest Move

The Department of Telecom has instructed all mobile operators to collect the Aadhaar number with the customer application form for the issuing of new connections and storage of the unique identification number in the database. The Department of Telecom has asked the mobile operators to collect Aadhaar numbers in direct contradiction of the Home Ministry’s objections to the same. The department of telecommunications has also requested the operators for amending the database in 2 months for the addition of the Aadhaar number.

The directive will be applicable in all cases regardless of whether the mobile connection is issued through the Aadhaar card or any other proof of identity document along with proof of address.

The government of India is currently working with stakeholders in resolution of issues regarding the use of Aadhaar cards as proof of address for procurement of new SIM cards in proposed online verification system, says the Economic Times.

A statement regarding this move has also formally been made by the Department of Electronics and IT Secretary, R. S. Sharma who said that "The issue regarding use of Aadhaar card as proof of address for procuring new SIM cards in its proposed online verification will be in place in next two months.” The Home Ministry had earlier raised multiple issues regarding the use of UIDAI as the address proof in the proposed online verification system to be used by DoT.

The Home Ministry was also raising questions regarding the supporting documents used by people for address and identity proof in getting the Aadhaar card, sources quoted in Business Standard said.

Department of Telecom has been long working on the concept of using the Aadhaar number for online verification of persons seeking mobile connections plus the current system of customer checking or verification.

Another area of considerable concern is that Aadhaar card can be used by foreign nationals who are staying in India. The Home Ministry is of the opinion that people from neighbouring countries may use such Indian identity documents such as Aadhaar for infiltration.

The Home Ministry also indicated that Aadhaar is a universal status identification, unlike passports and driving licence so for the latter “even higher levels of error in these documents may not translate into comparable volume of security concerns.”

Concerns have been raised over the involvement of foreign vendors by UIDAI for storing data and a possible audit of data security. The issue should be resolved in a manner that satisfies the need for quick identification without compromising on national security.