Protect your Aadhaar from frauds, misuse: Know when you can use masked Aadhaar, how to download it
Aadhaar can very well serve as a handy document since it contains our photo, address, email, mobile number, etc. It is not mandatory for the personnel verifying the identity to know exactly the full Aadhaar number. In such cases, a masked Aadhaar could be useful as it hides the first eight numbers of Aadhaar and shows all the other relevant information like Address, etc.
“The mask Aadhaar option allows you to mask your Aadhaar number in your downloaded e-Aadhaar. Masked Aadhaar number implies replacing of first 8 digits of Aadhaar number with some characters like “xxxx-xxxx” while only last 4 digits of the Aadhaar Number are visible,” said the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on their website.
Where to use masked Aadhaar?
To keep your Aadhaar details safe, you need to understand when you can use masked Aadhaar and when you need to provide your original Aadhaar details. As per UIDAI regulations only verified and licensed entities are allowed to collect and store Aadhaar details of a person for a specific purpose. So unlicensed entities like pubs, cinema halls, and hotels, cannot collect and store your Aadhaar. In these kinds of situations use Masked Aadhaar.
Hotels and pubs may ask you for any identity proof to verify age before serving certain items like alcohol. As your date of birth is visible on masked Aadhaar, you can use it to verify your age in such cases.
However, you cannot use masked Aadhaar for KYC in a bank or to an insurer. For instance, you are opening a demat account and the authorised entity requires your Aadhaar number for verification. You cannot give a masked Aadhaar in this case as this situation requires a full Aadhaar number.
Also read: How to open a demat account for a minor.
