You can set up a maximum security biometric identity system in a high security facility with all round controlled access but the moment you take it to a national level, it develops any number of leakage points.

Aadhaar launched the Virtual ID system to enhance privacy controls over user data. This new system essentially allows users to use their Aadhaar information for verification without putting their data out in the open.

This facility is free of cost and instant allotment of e-PAN is available only for a limited period on the first-come-first-serve basis for valid Aadhaar holders.

With the introduction of Virtual ID, Aadhaar number holders will have an option of not sharing their unique identity number and instead they can generate a virtual ID and share it with authentication user agencies to perform Aadhaar-based authentication.

It said that irrespective of distress conditions, there was an increase of over Rs 2 crore in amount disbursed in banks after Aadhaar-linked payment or ALP.

According to the Customs Brokers Licensing Regulations, 2018, notified by the Central Board of Excise and Customs recently, an applicant seeking to get a licence for customs broker should hold Aadhaar as well as PAN card.

Amid reports of massive breach of social security numbers along with identity theft, US lawmakers, encouraged by India's Aadhaar, explored the possibility of biometrics as an option, but privacy issues prevented experts from arriving at a consensus.

The paper seeks to understand whether the law and regulations are precisely and clearly drafted, if the law embeds accountability principles that shape the structure and functioning of the UIDAI and evaluates the grievance redress and enforcement provisions that are integral to the integrity of the system.

The government counsel said the centre under the Section 4 of the Telegraph Act was legally correct to ask for the linking of Aadhaar with mobile numbers. He also cited national security as one of the many reasons to do it.

Though the Supreme Court is still hearing a clutch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Aadhaar Act, the Reserve Bank of India updated its master circular on know-your-customer (KYC) norms on Friday making Aadhaar and PAN cards mandatory for bank accounts, new as well as existing ones.

In the amended Customer Due Diligence (CDD) procedure, RBI said, \"The Aadhaar number, the PAN or Form No. 60\" need to be obtained from an individual who is eligible for applying for the biometric ID.

If India is to have a data protection act doubling up as a privacy mechanism, the EU GDPR is probably our best bet.

The company will have to submit quarterly reports on compliance with Aadhaar Act and adhere to directions issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) from time to time.