Use normal prudence: Centre withdraws Aadhaar ‘misuse’ advisory

The government has withdrawn UIDAI’s earlier press release that had asked citizens not to share photocopies of their Aadhaar to prevent misuse. Citing “possibility of misinterpretation”, the government withdrew the earlier advisory and asked citizens to “exercise normal prudence”.

The government has withdrawn the advisory that had asked citizens not to share photocopies of their Aadhaar to any organisation to prevent misuse. In a statement issued on Sunday, the government withdrew UIDAI’s earlier press release, citing “possibility of misinterpretation”.

The Centre clarified, “UIDAI issued Aadhaar card holders are only advised to exercise normal prudence in using and sharing their UIDAI Aadhaar numbers.”

The Unique Identification Authority of India, or UIDAI, in the earlier statement, had suggested that citizens should only share masked copies of their Aadhaar cards to prevent misuse. The statement cautioned, "Do not share photocopy of your Aadhaar with any organisation as it can be misused. Alternatively, please use a masked Aadhaar which displays only the last four digits of your Aadhaar number."

The government has, however, withdrawn UIDAI’s press release over “possibility of misinterpretation. The government said the UIDAI only advised people to "exercise normal prudence in using and sharing their Aadhaar numbers."

UIDAI issued Aadhaar card holders are only advised to exercise normal prudence in using and sharing their UIDAI Aadhaar numbers.In view of the possibility of the misinterpretation of the Press Release dated 27 May, the same stands WITHDRAWN with immediate effect: @GoI_MeitY pic.twitter.com/9z3BXxUDvk