How to Lock Aadhaar Biometric Online: Why It’s Important and Everything You Need to Know

In today’s digital age, protecting personal information has become more important than ever. To strengthen user security, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) offers an option to lock your Aadhaar biometrics online—a feature that can help prevent misuse of your sensitive data.

Why You Should Lock Your Aadhaar Biometric

Aadhaar biometric data includes your fingerprints and iris scans, which are often used for authentication in various services such as banking, SIM activation, and government schemes. However, if your biometric data falls into the wrong hands, it can lead to identity theft and financial fraud. Locking your biometrics ensures that no one can use them for authentication without your knowledge.

Step-by-Step Guide to Lock Aadhaar Biometrics Online:

1. Visit the UIDAI official website:
   Go to https://uidai.gov.in and click on “Lock/Unlock Biometrics” under the My Aadhaar section.
2. Enter Your Aadhaar Number and Captcha:
   Input your 12-digit Aadhaar number and the captcha code shown on the screen.
3. Receive OTP on Your Registered Mobile Number:
   An OTP (One-Time Password) will be sent to your registered mobile number. Enter it to proceed.
4. Lock Your Biometrics:
   Once authenticated, you can simply select the option to lock your biometrics. After locking, no biometric authentication will work until you manually unlock it.
5. Unlock Anytime (If Needed):
   You can unlock your biometric data temporarily using the same steps if you need to use it for verification.

Additional Points to Note:

• This feature does not affect OTP-based Aadhaar authentication. You can still use Aadhaar-based services that rely on OTP rather than biometric verification.
• It is a free service provided by UIDAI and can be used any number of times.
• It is especially useful if you suspect any unauthorized use of your Aadhaar data.

Why This Matters

With increasing cases of digital fraud and data breaches, locking Aadhaar biometrics provides an added layer of security. Even if someone tries to use your Aadhaar number fraudulently, biometric authentication will be blocked, making it harder for them to misuse your identity.

As India continues to move toward a more digitally connected society, taking proactive steps like this can go a long way in protecting personal data and preventing cybercrime.