What is Aadhaar Act?
The Aadhaar Act, 2016, is a significant legislation enacted by the Indian government to establish a unique identification system for residents of India. This Act provides for the issuance of a unique 12-digit identification number called Aadhaar to individuals, which serves as a vital tool for identity verification. The Act aimed to streamline the process of accessing government services and welfare programs, ensuring efficient delivery and preventing identity fraud. The Aadhaar Act also established the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) as the body responsible for issuing and managing Aadhaar numbers, as well as overseeing the collection and storage of biometric and demographic data.
Background of Aadhaar Act, 2016
The Aadhaar Act, 2016, was introduced to address the need for a robust identity verification system in India. The primary objective was to provide each resident with a unique identification number to simplify accessing government services and welfare programs. The Act sought to improve service delivery efficiency by reducing bureaucratic red tape and preventing identity fraud. Under this Act, the UIDAI was established as the governing body responsible for issuing Aadhaar numbers and managing the associated data. This legal framework outlined procedures for collecting and storing biometric and demographic information, ensuring a reliable identity verification system. Despite facing criticism over privacy concerns and potential data misuse, the Aadhaar Act has become integral to India's identity verification system, widely used in banking, telecommunications, and social welfare programs.
Background of Aadhaar Amendment Act, 2019
The Aadhaar Amendment Act, 2019, was introduced to address several concerns and enhance the Aadhaar framework. This amendment allowed the voluntary use of Aadhaar as identification evidence for maintaining bank accounts and obtaining mobile phone connections. The 12-digit Aadhaar number issued by UIDAI includes essential details such as the holder's name, date of birth, and residential address, without linking to sensitive information like medical records or religion. The voluntary nature of Aadhaar use, requiring user consent, aimed to protect individual privacy. States have utilised Aadhaar to facilitate welfare programs, ensuring citizens' rights to food and other benefits. This amendment reinforced the Aadhaar system's safety and reliability for identity verification purposes.
Background of Aadhaar Act, 2021
The Aadhaar Act, 2021, introduced further refinements to the existing framework to enhance user security and data privacy. This amendment focused on strengthening the security protocols for storing and managing biometric and demographic data collected under Aadhaar. It included provisions to address data breaches and ensure stricter compliance with data protection standards. The 2021 amendment also aimed to enhance transparency in how Aadhaar data is used by various entities, ensuring that individuals are well-informed about the purposes for which their data is being utilised. These measures were part of an ongoing effort to balance the widespread use of Aadhaar for identity verification with the need to protect individual privacy.
Background of Aadhaar Act, 2023
The Aadhaar Act, 2023, represents the latest effort to fine-tune the Aadhaar framework in response to evolving technological and security challenges. This amendment focused on improving the user experience and further securing the Aadhaar ecosystem against potential misuse. Key changes included advanced encryption methods for data storage and transmission, ensuring higher security levels for biometric and demographic information. The amendment also introduced measures to enhance user control over their data, allowing individuals to manage their consent for data sharing more effectively. By incorporating these updates, the Aadhaar Act, 2023, aims to maintain the system's integrity while adapting to the dynamic landscape of digital identity verification.
