What is the story about?
Aadhaar Biometric Lock: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) provides Aadhaar cardholders with the facility of biometric locking and unlocking.
This service allows Aadhaar cardholders to lock their biometrics and unlock them for a specific period. Here's how the feature works and why it's important:
How is biometric locking done?
Locked biometrics ensures that the Aadhaar holder cannot use their biometrics (fingerprint/iris/face) for authentication. This is a security feature to prevent any kind of biometric authentication. It also ensures that no entity can perform biometric-based Aadhaar authentication for that Aadhaar holder under any circumstances.
Once the Aadhaar number holder activates the biometric locking system, their biometrics remain locked until the Aadhaar holder unlocks them (which is temporary) or disables the locking system.
Lock your Aadhaar biometrics through the UIDAI website using these steps:
- Go to the official UIDAI portal.
- Navigate to Aadhaar Services and select Biometric Lock/Unlock.
- Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and the captcha code.
- Authenticate using the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
- Enable biometric lock.
Lock your Aadhaar biometrics through the mAadhaar app using these steps:
- Log in using your profile details.
- Go to Biometric Settings.
- Enable the Biometric Lock option.
The lock will remain active until you unlock it.
Temporary unlocking is permitted
If biometric authentication is required for a particular service, you can unlock the biometrics using OTP verification. UIDAI provides a temporary unlock window, after which the system automatically locks again. This reduces the risk of leaving biometrics unlocked for extended periods.
Regularly check your authentication history
UIDAI also provides an Aadhaar authentication history feature. Users can see when and where their Aadhaar was used for verification. Checking this periodically can help detect suspicious or unauthorized attempts quickly.
How can biometric unlocking be done?
Aadhaar cardholders can unlock their biometrics through the UIDAI website, enrollment centers, Aadhaar Seva Kendras (ASKs), or the m-Aadhaar app.
It is important to note that a registered mobile number is required to avail of the biometric unlock service. If your mobile number is not registered with your Aadhaar, please visit your nearest enrollment center/mobile update point.
Why Aadhaar biometrics locking work?
Aadhaar number holders who have registered their mobile number can lock their biometrics to strengthen the privacy and confidentiality of their biometric data. This feature aims to strengthen the privacy and confidentiality of the Aadhaar number holder's biometric data. After locking the biometrics, if an Aadhaar number is used to initiate any authentication service using biometric methods (fingerprint/iris/face), a specific error code '330' will be displayed, indicating that the biometrics are locked and the entity will not be able to perform biometric authentication.
