Sharmili Mallick

New Delhi: After reports of disconnection of 50 crore mobile numbers issued through Aadhaar identification spread panic among the people, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on Thursday clarified that those reports are completely untrue and imaginary.

It further advised that there is absolutely no reason for panic or fear at all.

In a joint press statement issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the UIDAI said, “A few news reports in the media which state that 50 crore mobile numbers, are at the risk of disconnection, are completely untrue & imaginary.”

The statement added, ”The news report tries to create unnecessary panic among mobile users by claiming that “they stare a prospect of disconnection if SIM cards procured on the basis of Aadhaar verification are not backed up by a fresh identification.”

Aadhaar

The statement further clarified that the Supreme Court in its judgement in Aadhaar case has nowhere directed that the mobile numbers which have been issued through Aadhaar eKYC has to be disconnected.

“Therefore, there is absolutely no reason for panic or fear at all. People should not believe in such rumours. The Court has not also asked to delete all the eKYC data of telecom customers after six months,” the DoT statement read.

Aadhaar

The DoT also informed that the apex court has asked UIDAI not to keep authentication log for more than six months. But, the telecom companies or AUAs/KUAs can keep the authentication logs at their end as per Aadhaar regulations to resolve any consumer grievances.

“Further, in the light of the SC verdict if anybody wishes to get her/his Aadhaar eKYC replaced by the fresh KYC, s/he may request the service provider for delinking of her/his Aadhaar by submitting fresh OVDs as per earlier DOT circulars on mobile KYC. But, in any case her/his mobile no. will not be disconnected,” it said.

Aadhaar

The Joint Statement also mentioned that the SC has only prohibited the issue of new SIM cards via Aadhaar eKYC process due to lack of a law, however, there is no direction to deactivate the old mobile phones.

“The DoT and UIDAI are in a process to bring out a completely hassle-free and digital process for issuing new SIM cards through a mobile App which will be fully compliant of the SC judgement in Aadhaar Case.”

“In the proposed process, live photograph of the person with latitude, longitude, and time stamp will be captured. The photo of his/her ID such as Aadhaar card, voter ID, etc. will also be captured. The SIM card agent will be authenticated through OTP and SIM card will be issued. This process will be completely hassle-free and digital,” informed the joint statement.

Aadhaar

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