Do I need to unlock my Aadhaar biometrics?

[TinTinSnowy]

Hi,

I will be traveling to another city soon and was reading about the process for getting a replacement SIM if my phone is lost. I found out we need to authenticate with biometrics/fingerprint to get a replacement SIM. I keep my Aadhaar biometrics locked for security. I'm concerned that keeping them locked might prevent me from getting a replacement SIM.

Has anyone experienced this or have any advice?

 

[lockhrt999]

The question is, do they still need biometrics to get a new SIM card? It used to be the case many years ago, sure. But then a court ruled against biometric verification for SIM cards, ensuring that copying and cloning SIM cards would be a breeze.

Last time I replaced my sim card, there was no biometric process (fingerprint scanning) involved like before.

Better ask customer care of your telecom.

 

[TinTinSnowy]

@lockhrt999 It seems that the biometrics are mandatory now.

Will Aadhaar biometrics be necessary for buying new SIM? DETAILS

India's telecommunications landscape is set for a major transformation with the passage of the Telecommunication Bill, 2023, by both houses of Parliament. Once granted presidential assent, the law will mandate biometric-based authentication for purchasing mobile SIM cards, raising questions...

www.etnownews.com

 

[rajanmehta]

I found out we need to authenticate with biometrics/fingerprint to get a replacement SIM. I keep my Aadhaar biometrics locked for security. I'm concerned that keeping them locked might prevent me from getting a replacement SIM.

Currently Aadhaar biometrics is one of the option for getting a replacement SIM but it is not mandatory. You can give any other valid accepted ID proof like PAN Card, Passport Copy etc. For Photo they will click it. The new telecom bill you mentioned in the link is passed but the rules are not yet notified, so it is not mandatory as of now.

 

[ze_cook]

Hi,

I will be traveling to another city soon and was reading about the process for getting a replacement SIM if my phone is lost. I found out we need to authenticate with biometrics/fingerprint to get a replacement SIM. I keep my Aadhaar biometrics locked for security. I'm concerned that keeping them locked might prevent me from getting a replacement SIM.

Has anyone experienced this or have any advice?

Depends on the service provider I guess. When my father's phone was stolen last month, BSNL provided a replacement sim without aadhaar check, but they did require a report from police station. Thankfully that was the aadhaar sim, so when VI asked for biometrics for a replacement, he was able to unlock it.

 

[TinTinSnowy]

Currently Aadhaar biometrics is one of the option for getting a replacement SIM but it is not mandatory. You can give any other valid accepted ID proof like PAN Card, Passport Copy etc. For Photo they will click it. The new telecom bill you mentioned in the link is passed but the rules are not yet notified, so it is not mandatory as of now.

I called the Jio helpline, and they said biometrics are mandatory for getting a new or replacement SIM. I'll need to bring my original ID to the store since they don't accept DigiLocker. They advised me to keep my biometrics unlocked. If my Aadhaar number is locked, I'll have to unlock it through UIDAI, which requires updating my phone number first. This process takes some time. I'm unlocking my Aadhaar card because the new telecom bill mandates it, and it looks like Jio wants to stay ahead of the curve.

Edit: Why don't the government allow disabling the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS) from the Aadhaar site/app? This way, I could keep the biometrics unlocked without worrying about fraud.

Edit 2: I am emailing my bank to request the disabling of AEPS, following this format. https://www.technofino.in/community...nabled-payment-service-aeps.13417/post-234703

 

[technofast]

Recently when I applied and got the Amazon ICICI credit card I was asked for Aadhar biometric. The bank guy carried the finger print scanner to my home and got my biometric scanned. The bank did not accept any other id proof.

 

[TinTinSnowy]

Recently when I applied and got the Amazon ICICI credit card I was asked for Aadhar biometric. The bank guy carried the finger print scanner to my home and got my biometric scanned. The bank did not accept any other id proof.

The future is filled with mandatory biometrics. We have already seen the initial signs with the new telecom act and DigiYatra at airports. Passwords, once stolen, can be changed, but biometrics cannot.

 

[Ragin_Ice]

I just got a new jio sim card and also had my biometrics locked.

1. You need to unlock your aadhar biometrics
2. There is a temp option to unlock it for 10 mins where it will lock on its own after 10 mins which is good enough to get your Jio sim. I went to the store with my laptop. Used a hotspot to unlock my biometrics there and then. They then finished the verification within 5 mins.

 

[TinTinSnowy]

2. There is a temp option to unlock it for 10 mins where it will lock on its own after 10 mins.

If you have access to your Aadhaar-linked SIM, it works. However, if your SIM or phone is lost or stolen, you cannot use it. In that case, you need to update your Aadhaar with an alternate number.

I've unlocked my biometrics and am now contacting my banks to disable AEPS.

 

[Afxal]

If your Jio sim is Aadhaar linked, and it gets lost, then you will have to go to police station to get a copy of the complaint. Then, to an Aadhaar update center where they will unlock your biometrics by again taking your biometrics. Then only your Jio sim will be replaced.

This happened to my friend around a month ago, and he was so stressed because Jio wasn't issuing him a replacement unless he unlocks his biometrics, which were locked via his lost sim.

 

[sj88]

I've unlocked my biometrics and am now contacting my banks to disable AEPS.

Is there any way for banks to disable AePS without delinking Aadhaar from the bank account? The only suggestion banks provide is to lock the biometric. This article clearly mentions all the pitfalls of AePS.

 

[TinTinSnowy]

Is there any way for banks to disable AePS without delinking Aadhaar from the bank account? The only suggestion banks provide is to lock the biometric. This article clearly mentions all the pitfalls of AePS.

I'm not sure about that. I have written to the grievance department of all my and my family's banks to disable AePS. Let's see what their reply is.

 

[nRiTeCh]

Depends on the service provider I guess. When my father's phone was stolen last month, BSNL provided a replacement sim without aadhaar check, but they did require a report from police station. Thankfully that was the aadhaar sim, so when VI asked for biometrics for a replacement, he was able to unlock it.

+1 bsnl doesn't require any biometrics. Jio does and I think airtel too but do confirm on their current policy.

 

[lockhrt999]

This article clearly mentions all the pitfalls of AePS.

That's so kind of Govt to publish fingerprints like that.

 

[TinTinSnowy]

Update:

HDFC and AU Bank accepted the request to disable AePS via email and will complete it in 3 working days. Union Bank of India and SBI require an in-branch visit. I'll take my family members to the branch first thing tomorrow to get this done. I think I can keep the biometrics enabled without any risk post this.

+1 bsnl doesn't require any biometrics. Jio does and I think airtel too but do confirm on their current policy.

For now, just for a few days, the new telecom act rules will be notified after the Lok Sabha election. BSNL will have to follow.

New telecom rules to be implemented after Lok Sabha elections: Report

The rules apply to spectrum allocation, regarding satellite communications, call and message interception, as well as the gathering of biometric data.

www.indiatoday.in

 

[Hachune]

Sorry for hijacking the thread but since it's related, does anyone know whether you need to provide aadhaar to claim ownership of your sim card?
Is claiming ownership of a sim card (name change) even possible/permissible within one provider?

Asking because airtel is holding a campaign that people using sim cards not booked in their name will be terminated, they offer name change for people whilst transferring their phone number to airtel. I heard they also always ask for aadhaar.

 

[ikkhan]

Sorry for hijacking the thread but since it's related, does anyone know whether you need to provide aadhaar to claim ownership of your sim card?
Is claiming ownership of a sim card (name change) even possible/permissible within one provider?

Asking because airtel is holding a campaign that people using sim cards not booked in their name will be terminated, they offer name change for people whilst transferring their phone number to airtel. I heard they also always ask for aadhaar.

They will ask for aadhar card as well as force you to join postpaid service