Government looking at other options to re-verify mobile numbers
ET Bureau|
Updated: Oct 26, 2017, 12.08 AM IST
NEW DELHI: The government may look at alternative mobile number verification mechanisms for those who do not have Aadhaar or do not want to use it for the purpose, even as it simplified the overall process, especially for the elderly and the differently abled.
“Options like using passport for re-verification of mobile number for NRIs, or other documents like drivers’ licence, ration card can be used for those who don’t have Aadhaar,” a senior official in the telecom department said, asking not to be named.
When asked if the DoT would explore alternate mechanisms for those who didn’t want to use Aadhar for mobile number re-verification, the official said: “The DoT is ready to explore options, as long as they are in conformity with the mandate and standards laid down by the Supreme Court”, adding that no timelines were set for bringing in alternative processes.
On Wednesday, the DoT made Aadhaar-based verification of existing SIMs simple by asking carriers to enable re-verification by going to the doorstep of consumers and using the process of onetime password (OTP) for authentication of existing users.
The DoT said in a statement that carriers will also have to enable IRIS-based authentication, as some citizens were unable to do fingerprint verification owing to poor fingerprint quality, disability or old age. “We have told telcos to enable new systems, OTP, interactive voice response system (IVRS) and app-based, besides enabling IRIS-based verification and verification through home visits,” said telecom minister Manoj Sinha.
“Only name and address will be used for verification, rather than picture, and any other details, for avoiding invasion of privacy. Telcos should do it as soon as possible, and it should be done for benefit of consumers,” he added.
In the current dispensation, e-KYC data of the subscriber including photograph is visible to the agent of the telecom operator.
Further, the government has asked mobile operators to re-verify existing prepaid and postpaid customers, with the help of the 12-digit unique identity number.
“It has come to our notice that some of the residents, especially senior citizens, face difficulty in verifying their identity using fingerprint-based Aadhaar authentication.
Further, there are cases where residents due to being bed ridden or physically challenged are not able to visit service points of telecom service providers. Such instances may result in denial of service to them,” the DoT said in the statement.
Operators have been asked to put in place an online mechanism through website, and other means, for people to request for such service.
The telcos will have to formulate the processes quickly and inform the UIDAI. The agency has not set a specified time for this and till the time the processes are put in place, the regular way of verification through Aadhaar will continue.
“Options like using passport for re-verification of mobile number for NRIs, or other documents like drivers’ licence, ration card can be used for those who don’t have Aadhaar,” a senior official in the telecom department said, asking not to be named.
When asked if the DoT would explore alternate mechanisms for those who didn’t want to use Aadhar for mobile number re-verification, the official said: “The DoT is ready to explore options, as long as they are in conformity with the mandate and standards laid down by the Supreme Court”, adding that no timelines were set for bringing in alternative processes.
On Wednesday, the DoT made Aadhaar-based verification of existing SIMs simple by asking carriers to enable re-verification by going to the doorstep of consumers and using the process of onetime password (OTP) for authentication of existing users.
The DoT said in a statement that carriers will also have to enable IRIS-based authentication, as some citizens were unable to do fingerprint verification owing to poor fingerprint quality, disability or old age. “We have told telcos to enable new systems, OTP, interactive voice response system (IVRS) and app-based, besides enabling IRIS-based verification and verification through home visits,” said telecom minister Manoj Sinha.
“Only name and address will be used for verification, rather than picture, and any other details, for avoiding invasion of privacy. Telcos should do it as soon as possible, and it should be done for benefit of consumers,” he added.
In the current dispensation, e-KYC data of the subscriber including photograph is visible to the agent of the telecom operator.
Further, the government has asked mobile operators to re-verify existing prepaid and postpaid customers, with the help of the 12-digit unique identity number.
“It has come to our notice that some of the residents, especially senior citizens, face difficulty in verifying their identity using fingerprint-based Aadhaar authentication.
Further, there are cases where residents due to being bed ridden or physically challenged are not able to visit service points of telecom service providers. Such instances may result in denial of service to them,” the DoT said in the statement.
Operators have been asked to put in place an online mechanism through website, and other means, for people to request for such service.
The telcos will have to formulate the processes quickly and inform the UIDAI. The agency has not set a specified time for this and till the time the processes are put in place, the regular way of verification through Aadhaar will continue.
