Biometric data linked to our Aadhar card can be locked to prevent misuse; here’s how

The Unique Identification Authority of India released new features for the Aadhar card to secure the biometric data stored in them.

Cardholders can now lock their biometric data and can also use the new virtual ID (VID) for identification purposes.

Following are the steps to lock one’s Aadhar-based biometric data:
1. Open the uidai.gov.in website.
2. In the ‘My Aadhaar’ drop-down menu go to the ‘Aadhaar Services’ category and click on the ‘Lock/Unlock Biometrics’ option.
3. After being directed to the new page, select the ‘Agree Terms’ option after reading it and click on the ‘Lock UID’ option.
4. Fill out your 12-digit Aadhaar number and other fields in the form
5. Fill the Captcha and proceed for OTP generation
6. After OTP verification, a new page showing the ‘Enable Biometric Locking’ checkbox will appear. Check the box and click on ‘Enable.’

Aadhar biometrics can also be locked through SMS:
1. SMS “GEOTP” followed by the last four digits of the eight-digit Aadhar card number, without space, to 1947.
2. An SMS from UIDAI will be received with a six-digit OTP.
3. Reply to the same number with “LOCKUID” followed by the last four digits of the eight-digit Aadhar card number, without space.

On successful locking, an SMS will be received from UIDAI confirming the same.