The UIDAI has launched a new Aadhaar App which according to the Secretary of MeitY , can be used for age verification under DPDPA. Necessary amendments have been made to SWIK rules or the Aadhaar authentication for goog governance (Social welfare, Innovation, Knowldege) rules 2020 to enable private entities to provide service by using adhar authentication on secure basis.
This was expected and is a welcome move to resolve the difficulty of “Verifiable Consent” envisaged under DPDPA.
The new Aadhaar app is an official mobile application developed by UIDAI that enables digital, offline, and consent‑based Aadhaar verification. Unlike earlier apps, it allows users to verify their identity using Face Authentication or QR scanning without revealing their Aadhaar number. It offers features such as selective data sharing via QR codes, biometric lock/unlock, authentication history, and management of up to five family Aadhaar profiles. The app supports use cases like hotel check-ins, hospital visits, age verification, and gig worker verification
The new Aadhaar app offers several advantages over older verification methods.
- Eliminates the need for physical Aadhaar cards.
- Enhances privacy through masked and offline verification.
- Faster identity verification for daily services.
- Reduces risk of Aadhaar data misuse.
- Works even in low or no‑internet environments.
- Government‑backed and officially launched by UIDAI.
- Several personal information updates can be completed using the app without visiting an Aadhar kendra.
Naavi
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