UIDAI cautions e-comm players, public against sharing Aadhaar information

NEW DELHI: The Unique Identification Authority of India cautioned e-commerce companies such as E-Bay, Flipkart, Amazon not to allow their merchants to collect Aadhaar information from general public for printing Aadhaar cards.

It also cautioned general public against sharing their personal information, who are being asked to pay anywhere between Rs 50 to Rs 200 on a plastic card in the name of smart card, the Ministry of Communications and IT said in a statement.

“The Aadhaar card or the downloaded Aadhaar card printed on ordinary paper is perfectly valid for all uses," said Director General of UIDAI, Dr. Ajay Bhushan Pandey. "If a person has a paper Aadhaar card, there is absolutely no need to get his/her Aadhaar card laminated or obtain a plastic Aadhaar card or so called SMART Aadhaar card by paying money. There is no concept such as smart Aadhaar card,” he added.

In addition, referring to e-commerce portals allowing merchants to ask for Aadhaar card details the statement said "collecting information related to Aadhaar card or its unauthorized printing or aiding such persons in any manner may amount to a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment under Indian Penal Code and also Chapter VI of The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016".