Centre withdraws ‘don’t share Aadhaar copy advice: here are details of masked Aadhaar card

Aadhaar copy advice: The government has withdrawn the advisory that had asked citizens not to share photocopies of their Aadhaar to any organisation to prevent misuse.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”. Centre withdraws ‘don’t share Aadhaar copy advice: here is details of masked Aadhaar card.

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 The government has, however, withdrawn UIDAI’s press release over “possibility of misinterpretation.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.” “It is learnt that it (earlier UIDAI statement) was issued by them in the context of an attempt to misuse a photoshopped Aadhaar card. The release advised the people to not to share photocopy of their Aadhaar with any organisation because it can be misused.

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Alternatively, a masked Aadhaar which displays only the last 4 digits of Aadhaar number, can be used,” the government said today.

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What is a masked Aadhaar card? How to download one

A masked Aadhaar card will not reveal the 12-digit Aadhaar number. Instead, it will only show the last 4 digits. A masked copy of Aadhaar can be downloaded from the UIDAI website.

1. Go to https://myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in/

2. Enter your Aadhaar card number

3. Select the option ‘Do you want a masked Aadhaar’

4. Select download and get a copy of the Aadhaar card with only the last four digits of the Aadhaar number.