Aadhaar is now linked to many essential services in India, including bank accounts, PAN, EPF, subsidies, and investments.
With such wide usage, protecting Aadhaar biometric data has become extremely important.
One useful but often ignored security feature is the Aadhaar biometric lock, provided by UIDAI. This feature helps prevent misuse of fingerprints and iris data.
What Is Aadhaar Biometric Lock
The biometric lock allows Aadhaar holders to disable fingerprint and iris authentication linked to their Aadhaar number.
Once the lock is enabled, any service that requires biometric verification will fail unless the user unlocks the biometrics temporarily.
This gives users better control over when and how their Aadhaar biometrics are used.
How Biometric Lock Helps Prevent Fraud
Biometric locking is especially helpful in stopping fraud through the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS).
Under AePS, cash withdrawals and other transactions can be carried out using just an Aadhaar number and fingerprint at micro-ATMs or banking points.
Locking biometrics blocks such transactions unless the user allows them.
Importantly, this lock does not affect digital services like:
UPI payments
Net banking
Debit or credit card transactions
OTP-based Aadhaar verification
How to Lock Aadhaar Biometrics
Users can enable the biometric lock through the UIDAI website or the mAadhaar mobile app.
The process is simple. Enter your Aadhaar number, verify it using an OTP sent to your registered mobile number, and activate the biometric lock option.
Once enabled, the lock remains active until you choose to unlock it.
Temporary Unlock and Usage Tracking
If biometric verification is needed for a specific service, users can temporarily unlock their biometrics using OTP authentication.
The system can automatically re-lock the biometrics after a short time, reducing the risk of misuse.
UIDAI also provides an authentication history feature, allowing users to check when and where Aadhaar was used.
Follow Basic Aadhaar Safety Practices
Biometric locking works best when combined with basic safety habits:
Never share Aadhaar OTPs
Avoid giving Aadhaar photocopies unless necessary
Use masked Aadhaar for routine KYC
Biometric locking is a simple preventive step that can greatly reduce the risk of Aadhaar-linked financial fraud with minimal effort.
