UIDAI suspends Airtel, Airtel Bank's Aadhaar-linked e-KYC services

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has temporarily suspended telecom major Bharti Airtel and Airtel Payments Bank's 'Aadhaar linked e-KYC' services for allegedly misusing the facility. "We can confirm that we have received interim order from the UIDAI regarding temporary suspension of Aadhaar linked e-KYC services till their satisfaction on certain processes relating to Airtel Payments Bank's onboarding of customers," the company said in a statement on Saturday. "We are engaging with the authority and are hopeful of an early resolution. We are also undertaking to complete the said actions on priority and have commenced with checks of our process flows. Being compliant to all guidelines is paramount to us," the statement added. UIDAI's interim order comes after some customers alleged that the telecom company had opened their bank account in Airtel Payments Bank without their consent. Over 20 lakh customers had received enormous amounts of money in their Airtel bank accounts, which were allegedly operational without their knowledge. The 'Aadhaar linked e-KYC' service provides an instant, electronic, non-repudiable proof of identity and proof of address along with date of birth, gender, mobile number and email address to the service provider.