UIDAI aka Aadhar for all practial purposes was started with great fanfare. Nandan Nilekani will not even admit that it has security issues. Forget security issues one of the service providers is Karvy and he has a wealth/ registrar/mutual fund selling business. Did Karvy use the database to build its business? I leave it to your imagination.

So how can one build such a robust data base and keep the data from leaking? Simple! by hiding the number. LOL. Yes you heard it right. Here is a letter issued by a mutual fund to one of its agents.

Dear Sir/ Madam…

I wish to inform you about the changes in KYC documentation under the Prevention of Money Laundering (Maintenance of Records) Amendment Rules, 2019, effective 13 February, 2019. Accordingly, when your clients submit their AADHAAR Number as a KYC proof, they need to redact or black out their AADHAAR Number details through appropriate means.

I therefore request you to ensure that your clients black-out (redact) the AADHAAR Number when the Aadhaar Card Copy is attached as an officially valid document (OVD) either as a KYC proof or along with any other request given to us. The AADHAAR details if mentioned anywhere in the form, needs to be redacted as well. In cases where AADHAAR number is fully visible, such documents shall be deemed to be “Not in Good Order.”

Please note that all KRAs (KYC Registration Agencies) have started holding back KYC processing in cases where AADHAAR details are not redacted or masked. However, no further action is needed if Aadhaar documents are already masked (i.e., only last 4 digits are visible).

Request you to adhere to the above guidance to avoid delays.

I remember watching a play by “Cho” Ramaswamy – it was based on the life of Mohammad Bin Thuglaq.

Need I say more.

In case you have finished laughing, get on with life. I am sure I have made your day. That was the purpose. It was not to criticize the chairman of Infosys. With a net worth of Rs. 200 crores, he cannot be wrong I presume?