UPDATE
Taichi Hoshino, Product Manager, Facebook said in a blog post;
The test with a small number of users in India and has now finished. People were not required to enter the name on their Aadhaar card, and there is no integration or authentication with Aadhaar. Facebook has no plans to roll this test out further but plans to use the learning to provide a better sign-up experience.
WHOLE STORY
Facebook has started testing a new verification prompt, which asks users their Aadhaar card number for the sign-up, probably to prove their genuinity. This comes in the middle of ongoing debate whether Aadhaar should be made mandatory or not.
ALSO READ: Facebook Launches Messenger Kids, Parent-Controlled App For Kids!
Facebook Testing Aadhaar Verification
The testing prompts “Name as per Aadhaar” when a user creates a new account on its mobile site. Further down, the prompt reads “Whats your name? using the name on your Aadhaar card, which apparently makes it easier for your friends to recognize you.”
Just what you need @facebook wants you to enter your name as exactly in your #Aadhaar card.https://t.co/qkOCfYf6eE pic.twitter.com/9nrszl5rsb
— Srinivas Kodali | శ్రీనివాస్ కొడాలి (@digitaldutta) December 26, 2017
This very new testing from Facebook was spotted by a Reddit user and was consequently share on Twitter. It is worth noting that, the Aadhaar card prompt cannot be seen by everyone. It seems like Facebook is A/B testing the prompt where visitors are served with two version of its mobile site.
What Does It Mean?
Facebook wants to curb the fake users from their site, which propelled them to add Aadhaar verification. But is worth noting that, this propulsion will enable third parties to use Facebook API for matching names from their databases, which can result in electoral profiling and corporate surveillance.
Facebook spokesperson said;
We want to make sure people can use the names they’re known by on Facebook, and can easily connect with friends and family. This is a small test where we provide additional language when people sign up for an account to say that using the name on their Aadhaar card makes it easier for friends to recognize them. This is an optional prompt which we are testing, people are not required to enter the name on their Aadhaar card
Facebook makes it clear that using the name mentioned on Aadhaar is optional and the only goal is to make sure that people sign up with their real name. Well, Facebook has over two billion active users but India is its largest market with over 241 million active users.
ALSO READ: How To Link Aadhaar Card With Pan Card: Step-By-Step Procedure!
Aadhaar was initiated to be a unified ID for Indians, however, it was not designed to be used as verification tool on social media platforms. Facebook is yet to clarify whether it sought permission from the government or UIDAI before the prompt regulated.
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