The Centre has approved new Aadhaar rules permitting face authentication as a valid verification method, marking a significant expansion of the system beyond traditional government services. The regulations reinforce consent and purpose-limitation requirements in alignment with the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, ensuring enhanced privacy safeguards. The rules are expected to be officially notified soon, according to PTI.

Under the new guidelines, private entities will have a clear legal framework to access Aadhaar for authentication. This addresses longstanding ambiguity over private-sector use and prevents illegal OTP-based workarounds, enabling businesses to verify identities securely and compliantly while respecting data privacy.

Face authentication will complement existing biometric and OTP-based methods. It is particularly useful in scenarios where fingerprints or iris scans are impractical, or for entities not registered as Aadhaar Authentication User Agencies (AUAs). The method confirms the Aadhaar holder’s physical presence without sending biometric data to UIDAI, enhancing security for events, gated communities, and ticketed venues.

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The new rules also strengthen offline Aadhaar verification, allowing individuals to share digitally signed credentials with third parties without accessing UIDAI’s central database. This approach gives users greater control, enabling them to share selected details, such as age or photo, rather than their complete profile, in line with privacy and minimal data collection principles.

Explicit consent and purpose-specific usage are central to the updated regulations. Aadhaar holders must approve or deny authentication requests, ensuring transparency and control over personal data. Entities are required to collect only the minimum necessary information, reinforcing compliance with the DPDP Act.

The rules coincide with UIDAI’s plan to launch a redesigned Aadhaar app, further facilitating secure face authentication and private-sector use. Experts say these changes will expand Aadhaar’s applicability in daily life while balancing convenience with robust data protection, marking a major step in India’s digital identity ecosystem.

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