UIDAI Cautions Against Using Plastic, Laminated Aadhaar Cards
The Aadhaar letter, its cutaway portion, downloaded versions on ordinary paper or mAadhaar are “perfectly valid”.
The Unique Identification Authority of India today cautioned against going for plastic or laminated Aadhaar smart cards, saying their unauthorised printing could render the QR code dysfunctional, or even expose personal data without an individual’s consent.
The UIDAI asserted that the Aadhaar letter, its cutaway portion, downloaded versions of Aadhaar on ordinary paper or mAadhaar are “perfectly valid”.
Moreover, unauthorised printing of Aadhaar smart cards could cost between Rs 50 and Rs 300, or even more, a payment that is completely unnecessary, it said in a statement.
“...the plastic or PVC Aadhaar smart cards are often not usable as the QR code (Quick Response Code) commonly becomes dysfunctional during such unauthorised printing at some vendor/shop,” the UIDAI said.
“Also, there could be a possibility of sharing Aadhaar details (personal sensitive demographic information) without informed consent with some devious elements”.
The plastic Aadhaar Smart card is totally “unnecessary and a waste,” as the downloaded Aadhaar card printed on ordinary paper or mAadhaar is valid for all kind of uses, UIDAI Chief Executive Officer Ajay Bhushan Pandey said.
“There is no concept such as smart or plastic Aadhaar card,” Pandey added.
Advising people to be cautious, he asked individuals not to share their Aadhaar number or personal details with unauthorised agencies for getting it laminated, or printed on plastic cards.
The nodal body also cautioned unauthorised agencies not to collect Aadhaar information from public for printing of Aadhaar cards saying collecting such information or unauthorised printing of Aadhaar card is a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment under law.
