Linking of Aadhaar with mobile SIM cards

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS

RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1344

ANSWERED ON-29.12.2017

Linking of Aadhaar with mobile SIM cards

1344 . Dr. Kanwar Deep Singh

(a) whether Government is aware about serious apprehensions among the people in linking Aadhaar with mobile SIM Cards;

(b) if so, the steps taken to prevent the possible misuses;

(c) the protective measures taken, if any fraud etc., happens; and

(d) the section of the Act under which notifications for these are being issued?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS &

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) to (d) In pursuance to the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s order dated 06.02.2017 in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 607/2016 filed by Lokniti Foundation V/s Union of India, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), on 23.03.2017, issued initial instructions to all the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) for re-verification of existing mobile subscribers through Aadhaar based Electronic-Know Your Customer (E-KYC) process.

DoT is aware about apprehensions among the people in re-verification of mobile SIM Cards through Aadhaar based E-KYC process. In order to prevent the possible misuse of mobile subscribers’ data, DoT has already directed all TSPs on 23.10.2017 not to bundle any of their services like Broadband, Direct-To-Home (DTH), Payment Banks, etc., with Aadhaar based re-verification of mobile subscribers.

The instructions for re-verification through Aadhaar based E-KYC process and other instructions on subscriber verification process, are being issued by DoT in pursuance of provisions contained in the license issued to TSPs under Section 4 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.

Source – Rajya Sabha