As linking Aadhaar card number was creating a scope for privacy invasion the Union government is considering an option of letting people use other IDs to complete the verification process.

In the wake of the government facing criticism for forcing people to link their mobile connection to their Aadhaar card numbers, the former has come up with a solution. As linking Aadhaar card number was creating a scope for privacy invasion the Union government is considering an option of letting people use other IDs to complete the verification process. According to a reports, the government is now considering the option of letting people use their driver’s license, ration card and passport as IDs for completing the verification process of their mobile connection. According to an official source, “We are ready to explore other options. We are looking at whether a ration card, or a driver’s license, or some other authentication document can be used. No final call has been taken on the matter though.”

After the suggestion was made by the apex court to the telecom ministry, the latter instructed all mobile companies to link Aadhaar with mobile phones numbers for a credible authentication mechanism. In case people do not follow this process by the month of February next year, their mobile services could be suspended.

It has also been stated that a fresh petition has been filed in the Supreme Court against the government’s decision of Aadhaar-linkage to mobile service providers. Telecom secretary Aruna Sundararajan while talking about this was quoted as saying, “We will be putting in place a mechanism to ensure their authentication as well.”

The report further states that earlier three new ways to complete the process of Aadhaar authentication with the mobile number was being mulled – this was announced by telecom minister Manoj Sinha. The linkage can be done via- OTP (one-time password), an app or through an IVRS (Interactive Voice Response System) facility. Sinha said, “It is the government’s endeavour to improve convenience and reduce time and energy spent by consumers to accessing government information and services.”