To check breach, UIDAI starts lock-your-number plan

Once locked, the use of the Aadhaar number and associated data — demographics, biometric or OTP for authentication purposes will be disallowed. Individuals will first have to generate a virtual ID.

To lock the Aadhaar, the user will have to generate a 16-digit virtual ID (VID) — either from the UIDAI website or by availing the SMS service, both available to individuals who have linked their mobile numbers to Aadhaar. This can then be used to enable and disable the feature if and when required.

For the SMS service message 1947 as follows: GETOTP<SPACE>Last four digits of Aadhaar number.  You will receive a six-digit OTP via SMS, which can be used to activate the lock feature as follows: LOCKUID<SPACE>Last four digits of Aadhaar number<SPACE> 6 digit OTP number. You will receive a confirmation message for your request and the lock is activated.

To unlock, the format to be sent to 1947 is as follows: GETOTP<SPACE>Last six digits of your VID; following which you will receive a six-digit OTP to be used in a second SMS as follows: UNLOCKUID<SPACE>Last six digits of VID<SPACE>6 digit OTP number.

You will receive a confirmation message for your request and the lock is deactivated.