NEW DELHI, June 13:
The Government has instructed telecom operators to tweak their systems and networks to enable use of Virtual IDs in lieu of Aadhaar number and migrate to the ‘limited KYC’ mechanism for mobile subscribers.
The latest move is in line with the ensuing implementation of the new Virtual ID system from July 1, which users can quote instead of their Aadhaar number.
The Virtual ID system — a random 16-digit number mapped to a person’s Aadhaar number — is scheduled to be fully operational from next month. It aims to strengthen the privacy and security of Aadhaar data amid heightened concerns around the collection and storage of personal and demographic information of individuals.
“…All licencees shall implement the ….Changes proposed by the UIDAI regarding use of Virtual ID as an alternative of Aadhaar number, UID tokens and limited KYC concept in their system/networks subject to the adherence of existing Aadhaar based eKYC processes for issuing new mobile connection to subscribers and re-verification of existing mobile subscribers,” a notification by the Department of Telecom (DoT) has said.
It further said that licencees should “give the option to subscribers of feeding either Aadhaar number or Virtual ID” as per the individual’s choice but the operators will be required to display the numbers in “masked form” at the point of sale terminal and ensure that none of these numbers are stored in their own system or database. (PTI_
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