In a major step towards increasing digital ease and user privacy, the government of India on Tuesday launched an updated Aadhaar mobile app through which citizens can digitally authenticate and share their Aadhaar details—freeing themselves from the reliance on physical cards or photocopies.
Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the app in New Delhi, terming it a milestone in secure and easy Aadhaar use.
Explaining the innovation in a video message posted on social media platform X, the minister said, "New Aadhaar App, Face ID verification through mobile app. No card, no photocopies."
The new app puts control in the hands of the users, allowing individuals to share only the minimum necessary portions of their Aadhaar data, that too encrypted digital channels and always with their clear consent.
"Now users can share just the required information with a mere tap, keeping them in control of their own information," Vaishnaw said.
One of the biggest attractions of the app is the Face ID-based authentication, intended to make it easier and secure to verify one's identity.
The authentication process has also been made as easy as doing a UPI transaction, making users able to scan a QR code to digitize Aadhaar verification.
"Aadhaar verification is made as easy as UPI payment. Consumers can now verify and share their Aadhaar digitally while keeping their privacy intact," the minister wrote in yet another post on X.
One of the largest benefits of this feature is avoiding the requirement to give physical Aadhaar photocopies at hotel check-ins, retail transactions, or while traveling.
No need to submit Aadhaar photocopy at hotel receptions, shops or while traveling," Vaishnaw stressed.
The app is in its beta testing phase and has been developed with strong security frameworks to guard against data tampering or unauthorized access. All Aadhaar information is encrypted and shared only when users consent.
Describing Aadhaar as the "aadhaar" (basis) for most of India's digital governance efforts, Vaishnaw also emphasized the importance of incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to further fortify the nation's digital ecosystem.
He invited developers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders to share ideas on how AI can be used with DPI—without compromising individual privacy.
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