New Delhi, Dec. 13 -- The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has notified amendments to the Aadhaar (Authentication and Offline Verification) Regulations, 2021, introducing a new digital identity document called the Aadhaar Verifiable Credential (AVC) and tightening rules for entities that conduct offline Aadhaar verification (that is, verification not done in real time using UIDAI servers). The changes were published in the Gazette on December 9, and on the UIDAI website on Friday. The most significant amendment is the introduction of AVC, a new digitally signed document that Aadhaar holders can share for identity verification without revealing their full Aadhaar number. Its definition so introduced in the amendment states it is "a digitally signed document issued by the Authority to the Aadhaar number holder which may contain last 4 digits of Aadhaar number, demographic data, like, name, address, gender, date of birth, and photograph of Aadhaar number holder. which may be shared by Aadhaar number holder in full or part with an OVSE [Offline Verification Seeking Entity]. for verifying the demographic information or photograph of the Aadhaar number holder." One immediate question is how users choose what information to share. A UIDAI official told HT that the new Aadhaar app, yet to be officially launched, will let users pick exactly which details in their Aadhaar card they want to share with an OVSE. AVC verification has now been formally added to UIDAI's list of offline Aadhaar verification methods. Others include QR code verification, paperless offline e-KYC, e-Aadhaar verification, paper-based verification, and any additional methods the Authority may introduce in the future. The step has been taken to reduce photocopying of Aadhaar cards when used in public places like when checking in to hotels. UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar had earlier told HT that electronic sharing would also prevent tampering. The amendments also introduce an official definition of 'Aadhaar Application' to cover UIDAI's apps and portals. The amendment also adds the definition of 'Offline Face Verification,' which allows an entity to verify someone's identity by matching a live face image with the photograph stored in the Aadhaar application....