NEW DELHI: Leading telecom companies are the usage of Aadhaar-based eKYC for issuing cellular SIM cards nearly a month after the Supreme Court prohibited its use.
Several telecom company executives told TOI that the eKYC or Aadhaar's biometric facility "is still being used" as it's "one of the most convenient and user-friendly ways to on-board customers without the hassle of paperwork or time-consuming authentication".
They cited the absence of particular instructions from the dept of telecom (DoT) on the subject and added that they will continue to make use of the eKYC Aadhaar until they're explicitly barred through the federal government. "We will wait for a specific instruction from the department of telecom (DoT) on the matter before discontinuing the facility," a best business respectable said.
A senior respectable at Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), on the other hand, said that telecom companies may be at variance with the Supreme Court order. "We have alerted DoT about the issue. The matter has to be dealt by it," the respectable said.
On October 1, pointing to the SC order, UIDAI had written to telecom companies saying "Aadhaar services cannot be used for certain services like acquiring and verifying mobile connections". It had additionally asked the operators to provide a plan through October 15 to prevent using Aadhaar-based authentication. "If the Authority (UIDAI) does not receive any communication to this effect within the stipulated timeline, the authentication services shall be terminated without any further notice," UIDAI had said. It had additionally warned that telecom companies "may be liable for contempt of court for any non-compliance".
The telecom business has been disenchanted with the SC's September 26 order as they're of the view that eKYC was once more uncomplicated and sooner for buyer authentication as a substitute of the usage of time-consuming paper-based verification methods through documents comparable to passport, PAN card, riding licence, and voter ID.
Senior DoT officials said "we are aware" of the subject and are understanding a solution. "Instructions with regards to prohibition of Aadhaar eKYC will be given out soon," a senior respectable said. However, the respectable added that the trade methods may also be prompt to hold out a fast, seamless authentication.
Another respectable said, "There is nothing illegal about what the mobile companies are doing at this moment. We are studying the judgement currently. We will also need to give a ‘reasonable time' to the mobile companies to move over to newer processes."
The govt not too long ago said that it plans a new procedure to factor cellular SIM cards in a hassle-free means after the prohibition on Aadhaar-based e-KYC authentication procedure.
"In the proposed process, live photograph of the person with latitude, longitude, and time stamp will be captured. The photo of her ID such as Aadhaar card, voter ID, etc., will 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," UIDAI and DoT said in a commentary.
Telecom business frame Cellular Operators Association of India DG Rajan Mathews said they're going to look forward to the orders from the telecom division. "Telecom operators always comply with instructions and regulations passed by DoT and we will adhere to the Supreme Court's verdict. We shall await further orders and instructions from DoT. We believe that Aadhaar is a robust and convenient method of subscriber authentication."
Mathews further said that the business is closely running with the telecom division to build a completely hassle-free trade virtual verification procedure. "Customers' convenience tops the priority for our member operators and the industry is committed to ensure that subscribers face no disturbances whatsoever."
Several telecom company executives told TOI that the eKYC or Aadhaar's biometric facility "is still being used" as it's "one of the most convenient and user-friendly ways to on-board customers without the hassle of paperwork or time-consuming authentication".
They cited the absence of particular instructions from the dept of telecom (DoT) on the subject and added that they will continue to make use of the eKYC Aadhaar until they're explicitly barred through the federal government. "We will wait for a specific instruction from the department of telecom (DoT) on the matter before discontinuing the facility," a best business respectable said.
A senior respectable at Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), on the other hand, said that telecom companies may be at variance with the Supreme Court order. "We have alerted DoT about the issue. The matter has to be dealt by it," the respectable said.
On October 1, pointing to the SC order, UIDAI had written to telecom companies saying "Aadhaar services cannot be used for certain services like acquiring and verifying mobile connections". It had additionally asked the operators to provide a plan through October 15 to prevent using Aadhaar-based authentication. "If the Authority (UIDAI) does not receive any communication to this effect within the stipulated timeline, the authentication services shall be terminated without any further notice," UIDAI had said. It had additionally warned that telecom companies "may be liable for contempt of court for any non-compliance".
The telecom business has been disenchanted with the SC's September 26 order as they're of the view that eKYC was once more uncomplicated and sooner for buyer authentication as a substitute of the usage of time-consuming paper-based verification methods through documents comparable to passport, PAN card, riding licence, and voter ID.
Senior DoT officials said "we are aware" of the subject and are understanding a solution. "Instructions with regards to prohibition of Aadhaar eKYC will be given out soon," a senior respectable said. However, the respectable added that the trade methods may also be prompt to hold out a fast, seamless authentication.
Another respectable said, "There is nothing illegal about what the mobile companies are doing at this moment. We are studying the judgement currently. We will also need to give a ‘reasonable time' to the mobile companies to move over to newer processes."
The govt not too long ago said that it plans a new procedure to factor cellular SIM cards in a hassle-free means after the prohibition on Aadhaar-based e-KYC authentication procedure.
"In the proposed process, live photograph of the person with latitude, longitude, and time stamp will be captured. The photo of her ID such as Aadhaar card, voter ID, etc., will 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," UIDAI and DoT said in a commentary.
Telecom business frame Cellular Operators Association of India DG Rajan Mathews said they're going to look forward to the orders from the telecom division. "Telecom operators always comply with instructions and regulations passed by DoT and we will adhere to the Supreme Court's verdict. We shall await further orders and instructions from DoT. We believe that Aadhaar is a robust and convenient method of subscriber authentication."
Mathews further said that the business is closely running with the telecom division to build a completely hassle-free trade virtual verification procedure. "Customers' convenience tops the priority for our member operators and the industry is committed to ensure that subscribers face no disturbances whatsoever."
Month after SC verdict, telcos still using Aadhaar for issuing mobile SIM cards
![Month after SC verdict, telcos still using Aadhaar for issuing mobile SIM cards]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
October 26, 2018
Rating:
