Apex Court ask Centre to reply on plea against changes in law to use Aadhaar data

On 21 Nov, the Supreme Court of India sought the response of the Centre government on a plea challenging the constitutional validity of the amendments made in the law allowing private entities to use the Aadhaar data for voluntary authentication of customers. The plea was filed by  S.G. Vombatkere, who alleged that the 2019 amendments into the Aadhaar Act was violative of the earlier apex court judgments.

Earlier constitution bench of the apex court , while upholding the validity of Aadhaar act, had made certain exceptions and said private entity cannot be allowed to use the data even for voluntary authentication of customers’ details. However, the Centre amended the law allowing voluntary use of Aadhaar as proof of identity for users to open bank accounts and get mobile phone connection.