The Ministry of Home Affairs has raised objections to the central government?s proposal to allow use of Aadhaar card as a universal electronic Know-Your-Customer (e-KYC) proof for procuring SIM cards. The proposed e-KYC process involves installation of biometric machines at all mobile vendors where a potential subscriber can get instant verification of his Aadhaar details by giving his fingerprint and the SIM card can be immediately activated instead of a 2-3 day long process at present.
The home ministry is of the view that the Aadhaar card as e-KYC proof cannot replace the existing mobile subscriber verification norms, which involve physical verification of the subscriber and his address and identity documents. Further, the ministry has security concerns over the misuse of the e-KYC process.
Further, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) under the home Ministry has approached the Department of Telecommunications for installing a secure encryption system for the data transmitted between its various units as it cannot vouch for the process and data integrity of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). IB is also of the view that as the Aadhaar card does not contain the nationality and permanent address of the cardholder; it could lead to a general presumption that the cardholder is Indian, thus posing a security threat.
