To prevent misuse of the Aadhaar number, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) provides a mechanism to lock your biometric information such as fingerprints and iris scans. 

According to the UIDAI website, "This feature will allow residents to temporarily lock and unlock their biometric data. This is to protect the privacy and confidentiality of a resident's biometric data (including fingerprints and iris). The data Biometrics locked to ensure that an Aadhaar holder cannot use their biometrics for authentications. Users of this feature are advised to use this feature carefully to avoid rejection of authentication services. A registered mobile phone number is required to use this service. 

If your mobile phone number is not registered on your Aadhaar card, you must first update it and then use this service. 

Please note that once your biometric information is protected, no one, including you, will be able to access it for the authentication process.

Here's how to lock and unlock your vital information on Aadhaar. 

How to lock your biometrics

Step 1: Visit www.uidai.gov.in
Step 2: In the 'My Aadhaar' tab under the 'Aadhaar services' option, select 'Lock/Unlock Biometrics'.

Step 3: A new tab will open on your screen. To proceed with locking your biometric data, you will be asked to provide your confirmation by selecting a checkbox that reads: "I understand that after biometric lock enable, I will not perform biometric authentication until I unlock Biometrics." 

Once selected, click on "Lock / Unlock Biometrics".

Step 4: Enter your Aadhaar number and captcha code. Click "Send OTP". The one-time password (OTP) sent to your mobile phone number is valid for 10 minutes.

Step 5: Once the one-time password is correctly entered, the UIDAI website will say the following: Dear resident, the biometric lock feature is not currently enabled for your Aadhaar (UID). By enabling this feature, you will be able to temporarily lock and unlock your biometric authentication.

If you agree, click "enable lock function".

Once selected, your biometric data will be locked and you will not be able to use it for authentication, thus avoiding possible misuse. Also, after blocking your biometric data, if the Aadhaar number is used to invoke any of the biometric authentication services (fingerprint/iris), a specific error code "330" indicates that the biometric data is blocked, according to the site. UIDAI website.

How to unlock your biometrics

To unlock your biometrics, follow the same steps up to step 4, and then do the following: 

Step 5: Click on "Unlock Biometrics". By clicking on this feature, your biometrics will be unlocked for a few minutes and locked after that period expires. During that time, when your biometrics are unlocked, you can use your fingerprints/iris to authenticate your Aadhaar number.

On the other hand, if you want to permanently unlock biometric data, click " Disable Locking Feature".

Once you select this option, you will be able to use biometric data for authentication purposes without a time limit.

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