UIDAI asks entities doing offline verification to refrain from storing data

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has asked entities conducting offline verification of users to refrain from storing or collecting the data of citizens after the verification process is complete.

In a new set of guidelines issued on Tuesday, the UIDAI also said that Offline Verification Seeking Identities (OVSE) should use the Quick Response (QR) code present on all forms of the Aadhaar card instead of asking for either a physical or electronic copy from the user whose verification needs to be conducted.

Entities which conduct such offline verification should not continue to keep the data of citizens, it added.

If these entities need to keep the data for some purpose, it must be done in a masked manner and the OVSE must ensure that the "Aadhaar number is redacted/masked and irretrievable," the authority said.

"Entities have been urged to ensure that no services are denied to any resident for refusing to or being unable to undergo offline verification of Aadhaar, provided the resident is able to identify himself/ herself through other viable alternatives," according to the guidelines.