The Department of Telecommunications on Friday directed telecom service providers to stop using Aadhaar authentication to verify the KYC of existing mobile customers and to issue new connections. It asked the operators to abide by the order by November 5.

The use of “Aadhaar authentication is not permissible for eKYC for verification of telecom subscribers, nor for issuing new mobile connections”, said the DoT in a statement issued to telcos.

“In compliance to the judgment of Supreme Court, all licensees are to discontinue the use of the Aadhaar eKYC service of Unique Identity Authority of India (UIDAI), both for verification as well as for issuing new mobile connections,” it said.

The telecom providers have to ensure readiness of their systems and offer the proof of concept of the proposed digital process by November 5, it added.

“Meanwhile, this process can be implemented provisionally by all the TSPs (telecom service providers),” DoT said, adding that “any modification which may be required in this process by the government shall be carried out within 30 days”.

Physical Aadhaar

A PTI report said that the UIDAI has, however, allowed the use of physical Aadhaar card for issue of new connections if the customer gives it voluntarily.