Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is the government-backed entity responsible for managing Aadhaar, the world's largest digital identity system. UIDAI has introduced a new Aadhaar app and an offline verification framework to integrate Aadhaar deeper into everyday private life, allowing individuals to prove their identity without real-time checks against the central database. The app facilitates selective data sharing for various services like hotels, housing societies, workplaces, and payment devices. UIDAI is also expanding Aadhaar's integration with mobile wallets, including Google Wallet and Apple Wallet, and promoting its use in policing and hospitality. The initiative aims to replace physical photocopies and manual ID checks with consent-based, offline verification, giving users more control over their data. However, critics raise concerns about security, privacy, consent, and the broader use of the massive database, especially with the ongoing development of India's data protection framework.