Now, government will preserve records of services, benefits availed under Aadhaar for 7 years

New Delhi: According to new regulations, the government will now keep a record for seven years of all services and benefits that are availed using Aadhaar number. 

Fearing that the database might be used for surveillance, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will preserve the records, according to report in Hindustan Times.

The UIDAI issues the 12-digit biometric identity to Indian residents.

The information will be preserved online for two years and another five years in the offline archives, as per the new rules notified in September.

However, users will be able to check the records but only for two years (preserved online).

Noteworthy, this restriction won’t apply to security agencies. 

"The concerns were exaggerated. The agency was keeping records in case a dispute arose over a transaction," UIDAI chief executive officer ABP Pandey said.

According to Supreme Court's ruling Aadhaar is not a must for availing welfare schemes.

The UIDAI authenticates about five million Aadhaar numbers, which are quoted to avail LPG subsidy, cheap ration, etc.