Everything You Need to Know About Masked Aadhaar

Preserving personal information has grown crucial in the era of technological breakthroughs and rising privacy concerns. India's distinctive identifying system, Aadhaar, offers demographic and biometric information and is connected to almost all IDs issued by the government. However, worries about security and privacy have resulted in the creation of a procedure known as "Aadhaar masking."

Customers reluctant to provide their sensitive information must have their privacy protected by businesses. Software businesses have developed digital Aadhaar masking solutions that are compatible. People can comprehend the steps to preserve their privacy and companies may provide better customer service by grasping the notion of Aadhaar masking.

What is Aadhaar Masking?

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) issues the 12-digit biometric identification number known as Aadhaar.

Aadhaar masking is a security method used to protect a person's Aadhaar number's privacy. The Aadhaar number is obscured or partly replaced with asterisks or other symbols to make it illegible or just partially accessible to unauthorized people.
 

The disguise Aadhaar option "allows you to mask your Aadhaar number in your downloaded e-Aadhaar," according to the UIDAI website. The first 8 digits of the Aadhaar number are replaced with characters like "xxxx-xxxx," leaving just the final 4 digits of the Aadhaar number visible.

What Makes Aadhaar Masking Necessary?
 

Privacy protection and preventing the abuse of personal information are the main goals of Aadhaar masking. Aadhaar cards include sensitive data, like as biometric information and demographic data, making it essential to put safeguards in place. Masking Aadhaar enables identity verification when just a small amount of information is needed while assisting people in maintaining control over their personal data.
 

Process to Download Masked Aadhaar Online?
 

Masked Aadhaar may be downloaded from the UIDAI website in the same way as ordinary Aadhaar. Remember that an OTP will be issued to your cellphone number to start the download of your e-Aadhaar or Masked Aadhaar, thus it should be connected to your Aadhaar number. Here is a step-by-step tutorial for downloading your disguised Aadhaar.
 

1. Go to https://uidai.gov.in/ to the UIDAI website.

2. Click "Download Aadhaar" from the menu that appears when you hover your cursor over the "My Aadhaar" option at the top of the page.

3. Enter your Aadhaar number, Enrolment ID, or Virtual ID to download Aadhaar.

4. Type the Captcha code and one of the details. Click the "Send OTP" button now.

5. As soon as you choose this option, a checkbox labeled "Download Masked Aadhaar" appears. Toggle this box.

You will get an OTP at your registered cellphone number in step 6. Fill up the form with the OTP.

The 'Download File' dialog box will appear, allowing you to save the Aadhaar that has been hidden on your computer.

8. After downloading, you may use a password to unlock the Masked Aadhaar. Your year of birth and the first four capital letters of your name, as it appears on your Aadhaar, will serve as your password. As an example, if your Aadhaar name is Sreekar K and your birth year is 1976, your password would be SREE1976.

How Does Masked Aadhaar Works? 

Masked Aadhaar generation: 

People may generate and download Masked Aadhaar by going to the UIDAI website or Aadhaar Enrollment Centers. Only the last four digits of the Aadhaar number will be visible in the masked form; the rest will be hidden. The password-protected, encrypted Aadhaar card is available for download by users.

Virtual ID authentication: 

To increase security, anyone may create and utilize a Virtual ID for Aadhaar authentication. This makes sure that during verification, the real Aadhaar number is not disclosed.

Aadhaar Masking API
Integrating the Aadhaar Masking API with SignDesk's identity verification An effective tool for customer identity verification, the Aadhaar masking API protects data privacy by hiding sensitive data in an Aadhaar card. It protects personal data by hiding or swapping out certain numbers while still permitting necessary verification.