Verify Aadhar Via QR Code, UIDAI Issues Guidelines For OVSEs- Check Here.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) issued guidelines for Offline Verification Seeking Entities (OVSEs) on better user safety mechanisms and ways to increase residents' trust when using Aadhaar voluntarily for lawful purposes.
Entities have been advised to perform Aadhaar verification only with the Aadhaar number holder's explicit consent. These entities must be courteous to residents and assure them of the security and confidentiality of their Aadhaar while conducting offline verification.' According to a press release issued by the UIDAI.

For the uninitiated, OVSEs are organisations that conduct offline verification of Aadhaar number holders for a lawful purpose. Offline Aadhaar verification is used to carry out identity verification and KYC processes locally without connecting to UIDAI's Central Identities Data Repository.

The UIDAI also stated that entities must keep a log/record of the explicit consent received from residents for any future audit by the UIDAI or any other legal agency. Instead of accepting Aadhar in physical form, the UIDAI instructed OVSEs to verify Aadhaar using the QR Code found on all four forms of Aadhaar (Aadhaar letter, e-Aadhaar, m-Aadhaar, and Aadhaar PVC card).

The UIDAI also stated that no services are denied to any resident for refusing or being unable to undergo offline Aadhaar verification, provided the resident can identify himself/ herself through other viable alternatives.

"After conducting offline verification of Aadhaar, verification entities should not collect, use, or store the resident's Aadhaar number," UIDAI has advised OVSEs. If the OVSE believes that storing a copy of Aadhaar after verification is necessary for any reason, the OVSE must ensure that the Aadhaar number is redacted/masked and irretrievable, according to UIDAI.

The UIDAI has warned OVSEs not to perform offline verification on behalf of any other entity or person, and to fully cooperate with the Authority or law enforcement agencies in the event of an Aadhaar misuse investigation.