'Virtual ID' for Aadhaar Card to improve privacy- Everything you should know about Virtual Aadhaar ID

New Delhi : UIDAI on Wednesday introduces a new concept 'Virtual ID' that can be generated from its website and can be used for various purposes, including SIM verification, instead of sharing the actual 12-digit biometric ID.

The move will allow users to not share their actual 12-digit Aadhaar card number for the authentication purpose.

What is Virtual ID?

The 'Virtual ID' will be a set of random 16-digit numbers that after being clubbed with biometrics of the user would give any authorised agency like a mobile company, limited details like name, address and photograph, which are enough for any verification.

When will it come to effect? 

The UIDAI will come up with the software to introduce the Virtual ID from 1 March and requires the authentication agencies to start implementing it by end of March.

Will there be any limit on Virtual ID?

There will be no limit on generating the number of 'Virtual ID' for a user. The older ID gets automatically cancelled once a fresh one is generated.

What if a retailer refuses to accept it?

From June 1, 2018, it will become mandatory for all the companies to accept the virtual ID for the authentication of a person. Any retailer refusing to accept it may face severe penalty from the government.

“Aadhaar number holder can use Virtual ID in lieu of Aadhaar number whenever authentication or KYC services are performed. Authentication may be performed using the Virtual ID in a manner similar to using Aadhaar number,” a UIDAI circular said.