In a significant development for India’s digital and connectivity landscape, Elon Musk’s Starlink Satellite Communication Pvt Ltd has joined hands with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to use Aadhaar authentication for customer verification.
The move is set to simplify and secure the onboarding process for Starlink’s satellite internet users across the country, a news release from India’s PIB stated on Wednesday, August 20.
With this integration, Aadhaar — India’s widely accepted digital identity system — will power Starlink’s KYC process, enabling quick, paperless, and regulation-compliant customer onboarding. The Aadhaar e-KYC framework will allow seamless verification while ensuring the process remains secure and voluntary, as per existing norms.
The formal onboarding of Starlink as a Sub-Authentication User Agency and Sub-eKYC User Agency took place in the presence of UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar, Deputy Director General Manish Bhardwaj, and Parnil Urdhwareshe, Director of Starlink India.
This partnership showcases the scalability and reliability of India’s digital infrastructure. By using Aadhaar for verification, Starlink will be able to deliver high-speed internet to users in a more efficient manner, covering households, businesses, and institutions, even in remote areas.
Aadhaar has long served as a backbone of India’s digital public infrastructure, enhancing ease of living and business. The increasing adoption of its face authentication feature further underscores its convenience and user-friendly approach.
The collaboration with a global satellite internet provider like Starlink reinforces Aadhaar’s role in enabling innovation while ensuring transparency and accountability in service delivery.
