Validate all workflows

Recently i had the fortune to fall in the cracks of the use cases that Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) aims to solve, that of authenticating the identity using biometric.

One of the ‘recommended’ features, as implemented , that I think is really great for security, is to be able to lock the biometric authentication, until you need it.

So I followed my own advice, and did that. I do have my mobile number and email address verified with them too.

And then the crack opened. My phone, with the eSIM, had to go for replacement. So, i went to the mobile provider to get a replacement eSIM. And guess what ? They needed my biometric verification to issue me that. And, when i tried it, the verification failed because I had locked it.

Cool, right ? Served exactly the use case they implemented. I was very happy. Until, I realised that I need to unlock it too make progress. And, that workflow only supports sending an OTP (One time password) to the mobile. Nothing that allows me to select email as a choice.

So that’s where the ’ incomplete’ workflow is. I can’t get my SIM until I unlock, and I cannot unlock until I get my SIM.

They workaround is to change the number on Aadhaar. But for that too I need a new number, which requires biometric verification, which puts me in the same spot.

This is why UX and UX workflow validation is so important.

#ux #security #aadhaar #userexperience