Aadhaar number has become an integral part of our identities. From bank accounts to PAN Card, insurance policies to mobile number, we need Aadhaar for all this and much more now. It being such a critical identity tool, it is important to ensure its safety.
One way to secure your Aadhaar card is to lock or seal your biometric data. For the uninitiated, biometrics is the fingerprint and iris data used for authentication of Aadhaar card. Aadhaar Biometric Locking System enables residents to lock and temporarily unlock their biometrics. Once resident enables Biometric Locking system their Biometric remains locked till the Aadhaar holder wants it to.
As per UIDAI (the nodal agency for Aadhaar authentication), “Locked Biometricsensures the Aadhaar holder will not be able to use their Biometrics (fingerprints/iris) for authentications thus preventing potential misuse.” UIDAI allows Aadhaar card holders to disable as well as enable their Biometric data on its website.
Here’s a step-by-step guide for the same. But before you go ahead, remember that registered mobile number is essential to avail this facility online. In case your mobile number is not registered with Aadhaar, you will have to visit the nearest enrolment centre/mobile update end point for the same.
1. Paste the url ‘https://resident.uidai.gov.in/biometric-lock’ in your browser window
2. Once the page that opens, enter your 12-digit Aaadhaar number. Follow this up with the security code given in the box below. This is a 4-digit security code.
3. Post this, click on send OTP link.
4. An OTP will come on the mobile number registered with that Aadhaar number. There will also be a authentication message below the security code box (in green colour) saying, “OTP sent to your registered mobile number. Check your mobile.”
5. In case, the message does not come, you will be required to enter the four-digit security code again and wait for the authentication message.
6. Once, it appears just enter the OTP
