Aadhaar biometric lock explained: How it prevents biometric fraud

Aadhaar sits on the centre of most monetary identities at this time, from financial institution accounts and PAN to mutual funds, EPF and subsidies. That makes biometric safety a crucial line of defence. One underused safeguard is Aadhaar biometric locking, a UIDAI function that blocks the usage of your fingerprint and iris information for authentication and lowers the chance of misuse.

Right here is how the function works and why it issues for private finance security.

How does biometric locking work?

Biometric locking disables fingerprint and iris-based authentication linked to your Aadhaar quantity. As soon as enabled, no transaction or verification that will depend on biometric authentication can undergo except you briefly unlock it.

That is particularly related for Aadhaar Enabled Cost System (AePS) transactions, the place withdrawals and funds may be processed utilizing solely Aadhaar quantity and fingerprint at micro-ATMs and banking correspondents. Locking biometrics provides an additional management layer.

Importantly, biometric locking doesn’t have an effect on:

·  UPI transactions

·  Internet banking entry

·  Debit or bank card utilization

·  OTP-based Aadhaar verification

It solely blocks biometric authentication.

How to lock Aadhaar biometrics?

UIDAI permits biometric locking by each its web site and cell app.

Via the UIDAI web site:

·  Go to the official UIDAI portal

·  Go to Aadhaar providers and choose biometric lock/unlock

·  Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar quantity and captcha code

·  Authenticate utilizing the OTP despatched to your registered cell quantity

·  Allow biometric lock

Via the mAadhaar app:

·  Log in utilizing your profile particulars

·  Go to biometric settings

·  Activate the biometric lock choice

The lock stays energetic till you select to unlock it.

Short-term unlock is allowed

In the event you want biometric authentication for a selected service, you’ll be able to unlock biometrics utilizing OTP verification. UIDAI gives a short lived unlock window, after which the system can auto-lock once more. This reduces the chance of leaving biometrics uncovered for lengthy durations.

Test authentication historical past often

UIDAI additionally gives an Aadhaar authentication historical past function. Customers can evaluate when and the place their Aadhaar was used for verification. Periodic checks might help detect suspicious or unauthorised makes an attempt early.

Fundamental Aadhaar hygiene nonetheless applies

Biometric locking works finest together with fundamental precautions:

·  By no means share OTPs linked to Aadhaar

·  Keep away from submitting Aadhaar photocopies except legally required

·  Use masked Aadhaar for routine KYC the place full quantity will not be vital

Biometric locking is a preventive management, not an emergency repair. With identity-linked monetary fraud rising, enabling it is a low-effort, high-impact security step for Aadhaar holders.