Aadhaar Act amended to bar private entities from storing individuals' data

The amendment says that UIDAI can now give directions as it may consider necessary to any entity in the Aadhaar ecosystem

The government on Wednesday introduced amendments to the Aadhaar Act in the Lok Sabha, allowing individuals to voluntarily offer the biometric identification card as a means of verification for obtaining services like opening a bank account and getting a mobile phone connection. The amendment, however, makes it clear that anyone not offering Aadhaar as an identification card cannot be denied any service. Mandatory usage of Aadhaar as a form of identity for any service given by the state will be allowed only if such authentication is required by a law made by Parliament.

The amendment also proposes to confer enhanced