UIDAI makes facial recognition mandatory for Aadhaar authentication

Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has announced a new measure that seeks to facial recognition mandatory for every authentication that requires Aadhaar. The information was shared by UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey on August 24.

The measure is being implemented following official circulars issued by UIDAI to Authentication User Agencies, Authentication Service Agencies and certified biometric device providers.

Objective

The measure is being used to provide an added security layer and also make the Aadhaar process more inclusive.

Key Highlights

• According to the new measure, the facial recognition will come as an additional feature along with the regular authentication process that includes identification of an individual based on fingerprints or eye scans.

• The services that most commonly require Aadhaar authentication include issuance of mobile SIM, banks, public distribution system and office attendance at government offices.

• There have been numerous instances where people have been excluded from Aadhaar authentication as their fingerprints were worn out due to old age or because of being involved in manual labour or agriculture.

• The use of facial recognition will help include such people in the Aadhaar authentication process.

• The process will be rolled out in a phased manner and it would be initially mandated for the providers of SIM cards of telecom companies.

• The telecom operators have been directed that at least 10 per cent of their total monthly authentication transactions should be performed using facial recognition with effect from September 15, 2018.

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