Tech for Beginners Part 30: Locking Aadhaar Biometrics and Checking Your Aadhaar Usage History

Your fingerprints, iris and face are linked to your Aadhaar. They are used to confirm your identity at a ration shop, a bank correspondent's counter, a SIM card store or a property office. But what if someone misuses your fingerprints? In recent years, fraudsters have withdrawn money from people's bank accounts using copied fingerprints and the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System. Fortunately, UIDAI gives you two simple tools: you can lock your biometrics, and you can check your Aadhaar authentication history to see where and when your Aadhaar was used. This is Part 30 of our Tech for Beginners series. Today we will walk through both, step by step, and explain how to spot Aadhaar-related scams.

In Part 29 we downloaded e-Aadhaar and learned about masked Aadhaar. Because Aadhaar is linked to your bank account, it helps to understand the basics in our guide to bank accounts and deposit insurance. For broader fraud patterns, see financial scams and digital arrest, and for card and net banking safety, Part 24.

A note on changes: UIDAI's websites and apps are updated regularly. The steps below are based on UIDAI's information at the time of writing; menu names may differ slightly.

What you need

• Your Aadhaar number (or VID).
• Your registered mobile number working on your phone, because every step needs an OTP. If your number is not registered, you will need to visit an Aadhaar centre first.
• The official myAadhaar website (myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in) or the official Aadhaar app from UIDAI.

What does locking biometrics do?

When your biometrics are locked, nobody can use your fingerprints, iris or face to authenticate your Aadhaar, not even you, until you unlock them. According to UIDAI, this stops any entity from performing biometric-based Aadhaar authentication for you while it is locked. You can still use OTP-based authentication and your Aadhaar number works normally for other purposes.

When to lock

• As a preventive step if you rarely use fingerprint-based services.
• Immediately if you see an authentication you did not make, or a suspicious withdrawal from your bank.
• If your documents with fingerprints (such as property papers) may have been copied.

When you may need to unlock

Some services need your fingerprint or face: collecting rations, AePS cash withdrawals, some bank or SIM KYC, property registration, or certain government benefits. You can unlock temporarily for these, then lock again.

How to lock your biometrics on the myAadhaar website

1. Open myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in in your browser. Type the address yourself.
2. Tap Login. Enter your Aadhaar number and the captcha, then tap Send OTP.
3. Enter the OTP from your registered mobile and log in.
4. Find the option Lock/Unlock Biometrics among the services.
5. Read the information, tick the box to agree, and choose to lock (or enable locking).
6. Confirm. You should see a message that your biometrics are locked.

How to lock using the Aadhaar app

1. Open the official Aadhaar app and log in with your PIN.
2. Look for Biometric lock (UIDAI describes it as a one-click lock and unlock).
3. Turn it on and confirm with an OTP or authentication if asked.

How to unlock when needed

1. Log in to myAadhaar or the Aadhaar app as above.
2. Choose Lock/Unlock Biometrics and select unlock.
3. Confirm with the OTP.
4. Unlocking is designed to be temporary: your biometrics are unlocked for a short time and then lock again automatically, unless you choose to disable the locking system completely. Plan the unlock just before you reach the counter.

You can also unlock at an Aadhaar enrolment centre if you cannot do it online.

Biometric lock vs Aadhaar lock

UIDAI also offers a separate, stronger option to lock your Aadhaar number itself, which blocks all authentication (biometric, OTP and demographic) using the number. Unlocking it needs your latest VID. This can cause problems if you forget your VID or need Aadhaar urgently, so most people only need the biometric lock. Read UIDAI's instructions carefully before using the full Aadhaar lock.

Check your Aadhaar authentication history

Your authentication history is a record of every time your Aadhaar was used to verify your identity: by fingerprint, iris, face, OTP or demographic details. Checking it every few months is a good habit.

1. Log in to myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in or the Aadhaar app.
2. Choose Authentication History.
3. Select the type (all, or a specific type such as biometric) and a date range.
4. View the list.

What you will see

According to UIDAI, each record shows details such as:

• The type of authentication (biometric, OTP, demographic).
• The date and time.
• The agency that requested it (shown as the AUA name, for example a bank or telecom company).
• Whether it was a success or failure, with response codes.

What to look for

• Biometric authentications on dates you did not visit any bank, ration shop or SIM store.
• Agencies you have never dealt with.
• Many failed attempts, which might mean someone is trying to use your Aadhaar.

If you find something suspicious, lock your biometrics immediately, check your bank accounts, and report it (see below).

Check your registered mobile and email

Your Aadhaar OTPs go to your registered mobile number. On myAadhaar or UIDAI's website, use the option to verify your mobile number and email. If an unknown number is registered, visit an Aadhaar centre to correct it as soon as possible.

Understanding AePS fraud

AePS (Aadhaar Enabled Payment System) lets people withdraw cash, check balances or send money at a business correspondent's micro-ATM using only their bank name, Aadhaar number and fingerprint. It is very useful in villages and for people without debit cards.

Fraudsters have misused it by copying fingerprints, for example from documents like property registration papers where fingerprints are recorded, and making silicone copies. With your Aadhaar number and a fake fingerprint, they can try to withdraw money from your linked account without any OTP.

How to protect yourself

1. Lock your biometrics when you are not using them.
2. Keep SMS alerts on for your bank account and read every debit message.
3. Share a masked Aadhaar wherever possible (Part 29).
4. Ask your bank about your options if you do not use AePS; some banks may let you limit or disable certain channels. Policies differ.
5. When giving fingerprints at a counter, watch the machine and make sure only your intended transaction is done. Ask for a receipt, and check the amount on it before you leave the counter.

Other Aadhaar-related scams

• "Your Aadhaar is linked to a crime" calls: part of digital arrest scams (Part 26). Hang up.
• "Aadhaar update" links in SMS or WhatsApp: use only myaadhaar.uidai.gov.in or the official app.
• Agents offering to "fix" Aadhaar for a fee outside official centres.
• Requests for your Aadhaar OTP by phone: UIDAI does not ask for it.

If your Aadhaar was misused

1. Lock your biometrics immediately.
2. Call your bank on its official number if money was taken. Report quickly: under RBI rules, prompt reporting can limit your liability.
3. Call 1930 or file at cybercrime.gov.in for financial loss.
4. Contact UIDAI through its helpline 1947 or its official grievance channels to report the misuse.

Helping family members who do not use smartphones

Older parents and relatives in villages often depend most on fingerprint-based services, and they are also the most common targets of AePS fraud. You can help them safely:

1. Sit with them and use their registered mobile number for the OTP. Never ask them to share OTPs with anyone else, including helpful neighbours or agents.
2. Check their authentication history together and explain what each entry means.
3. Decide together whether to lock biometrics. If they collect rations or pensions by fingerprint every month, a lock may be inconvenient; in that case, focus on SMS alerts and regular checks.
4. Make sure their bank sends SMS alerts to a phone they actually use, and that someone reads them.
5. Write down the steps to unlock on a card, along with the helplines 1947 (UIDAI) and 1930 (cyber fraud).

A simple Aadhaar safety routine

• Every month: read your bank SMS alerts and check your passbook or statement.
• Every three months: check your authentication history.
• Every year: confirm your registered mobile number and email are current.
• Always: share masked Aadhaar where possible and keep biometrics locked when not needed.

Frequently asked questions

Will locking biometrics stop my bank account or SIM from working?

No. Your account and SIM continue to work. Only fingerprint, iris or face authentication with Aadhaar is blocked until you unlock.

Can I still collect rations if biometrics are locked?

Not by fingerprint. Unlock temporarily before you go to the shop, or ask if OTP-based options are available.

How often should I check my authentication history?

Every two or three months is a good habit, and immediately after any suspicious bank debit.

What is next

Try this today: log in to myAadhaar, check your authentication history for the last six months, and lock your biometrics if you do not need them. In the next part of Tech for Beginners, we will set up DigiLocker to keep your documents safe and ready on your phone.