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The Aadhaar card is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Government of India to every resident of India. The Aadhaar number is issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).  It can be used as a verified proof of identity. It is linked to a person’s biometric data such as fingerprints along with other demographic information such as photograph address and date of birth. Over the years Aadhaar has been recognised as one of the most important documents for every Indian not only for identity proof but as a gateway to a myriad of services. Nowadays in a digitally driven and fast-paced environment an Aadhaar card is a necessary document for almost any type of official work including opening a bank account applying for government schemes completing KYC verification for monetary transactions and operating online. Who is implementing the new Aadhaar changes? However in recent days the Aadhaar card is set to undergo several changes. One such is that the Unique Identification Authority of India is mulling issuing an Aadhaar card with the holders photo and a QR code as reported by news agency PTI(report dated November 18). The Unique Identification Authority of India is mulling issuing an Aadhaar card with the holders photo and a QR code to prevent misuse of individuals data and discourage offline verification practices which are in contravention of the present law a top official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI on Tuesday. When will the updated Aadhaar format be rolled out? In an open online conference on a new app for Aadhaar UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar stated that the authority is considering introducing a new rule in December to discourage offline verification by entities such as hotels event organisers etc and enhance the age verification process using Aadhaar while maintaining the privacy of individuals. What information will disappear from the Aadhaar card? While speaking to news agency PTI UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar statedThere is a thought process as to why there should be any detail on the card. It should be only a photo and a QR code. If we keep printing then people will keep accepting what is printed. People who know how to misuse it will keep misusing it. The Aadhaar Act prohibits the collection use or storing of the Aadhaar number or biometric information of anyone for any purpose in cases of offline verification. However there are different entities still collecting photocopies of the Aadhaar card. Kumar said that legislation is in work to discourage offline verification by using an Aadhaar card copy which will be taken up for consideration by the Aadhaar authority on December 1. Aadhaar should never be used as a document. It should only be authenticated with the Aadhaar number or verified using QR code. Otherwise it can be a fake document Kumar stated as PTI reported. The UIDAI conducted a collaborative meeting with various stakeholders such as banks hotels fintech companies etc to update them on the new app in the works which is expected to be rolled out soon. The app is projected to strengthen the Aadhaar authentication service in accordance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act which will be completely operational in 18 months. The app would allow users to update their address proof documents on the new app and add other family members on the same app who dont own any mobile phone. An UIDAI official said that the new app will also enable updating of mobile number of Aadhaar holders within the family using face authentication feature in the app. Kumar said that the new app will replace the mAadhaar app and it will ease the authentication process for the various entities that need to verify an individual for various purposes. The new app will work like Aadhaar verification done by the Digiyatra app. He said that the authentication service can generate various use cases and entities can give feedback to UIDAI on new use cases of Aadhaar authentication services. Address Proof Update: Changing your address online will now be a lot easier. Family Members Who Do Not Have a Mobile: Family members can also be added to the app even if they do not have their own mobile device. Face Verification: You will not need to wait in long lines to change your mobile number; that can be done by using face recognition (Face Verification). QR Entry Everywhere: Whether it’s a cinema hall hotel or residential society verification can now be done everywhere with a QR scan. Another UIDAI official explained that the new app will help in the verification of individuals in several cases including entry into events cinema halls buying certain products where the minimum age requirement is 18 years as well as student verifications check-in at hotels entry into residential societies etc. The official authority has published details online to update systems of offline verification seeking entities (OVSE). He said that OVSE can use the new system to verify Aadhaar number holders both online and as proof of physical presence. STORY HIGHLIGHTS The Aadhaar number is issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). An UIDAI official said that the new app will also enable updating of mobile number of Aadhaar holders within the family using face authentication feature in the app. The Aadhaar Act prohibits the collection use or storing of the Aadhaar number or biometric information of anyone for any purpose in cases of offline verification. The app would allow users to update their address proof documents on the new app and add other family members on the same app who dont own any mobile phone. Aadhaar holder will show the QR code in the scanner of OVSE. The system will then prompt for face verification. This will also work as proof of the presence of an Aadhaar number holder. We will open an application for OVSE very soon. We will verify details of OVSE and once approval is done then OVSE will have to initiate technical integration to access a QR code for updating data from the Aadhaar database the official said. (With PTI Inputs)