(DNA)
On Saturday, the Centre stated that all SIM cards that weren’t linked to an Aadhaar card would be deactivated after Feb 2018. The Centre said in a notice that Aadhaar mobile linkage was being done as per orders passed by the Supreme Court in February 2017 while hearing the Lokniti foundation case. All SIM Cards have to be verified within a year from the date of the judgement and all unlinked phones will be deactivated after Feb 2018.
The Centre added that the move would deter criminals, fraudsters and terrorists and added that biometrics or any personal data wouldn’t be stored by mobile operators. This court made that order in February, when the Centre was asked to put in place an effective mechanism to verify identities of existing mobile users. A bench comprising former Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice N V Ramana said the verification of existing pre-paid mobile users, running into crores, be done within one year.
