Google Wallet adds Aadhaar verifiable credentials in India
Updated
Updated · Biometric Update · May 4
Google Wallet adds Aadhaar verifiable credentials in India
10 articles · Updated · Biometric Update · May 4
The rollout, via a UIDAI partnership, lets users save digital Aadhaar IDs on-device and use them with early partners including PVR INOX, BharatMatrimony and Atlys.
Google said selective disclosure shares only needed details such as age or name, while planned integrations include Mygate for staff verification and Snabbit for gig-economy trust checks.
The feature uses ISO/IEC 18013-5 and W3C Digital Credentials API standards, following UIDAI’s earlier launch of offline Aadhaar credentials and app updates aligned with India’s data protection rules.
As Google Wallet digitizes Aadhaar, does this convenience come at the cost of unprecedented user surveillance?
With Aadhaar now in Google Wallet, who truly controls India's digital identity: the government, the citizen, or a tech giant?
How Google Wallet’s Aadhaar Integration is Revolutionizing Secure Digital Identity for Over a Billion Indians
Overview
In May 2024, Google and UIDAI partnered to integrate Aadhaar Verifiable Credentials into Google Wallet, enabling over a billion Indian users to securely store their digital ID on Android devices. This integration emphasizes user-controlled, encrypted local storage and complies with international standards and India’s data protection laws. Enhanced security features include selective disclosure, biometric liveness checks, and offline verification, supported by device-level protections on modern Android phones. The solution improves convenience and privacy over physical Aadhaar cards and traditional apps, with growing adoption in sectors like entertainment, matrimonial services, and travel. While accessibility and privacy concerns remain, this partnership marks a major step in India’s digital identity transformation, positioning the country as a leader in mobile digital IDs.