The biometric identity system is set for a revamp with new offline verification tools, non-intrusive approach
Aadhaar,
the country’s extraordinary attempt to give every citizen a biometric
identity, is set for a massive revamp with new offline verification
tools and non-intrusive ways for people seeking to voluntarily use the
12-digit unique number for new bank accounts and mobile connections.
After
a chaotic 2018, led by the landmark Supreme Court (SC) ruling on the
constitutional validity of Aadhaar, the UIDAI’s efforts around offline
modes, such as eAadhaar and QR code, that can leverage the unique ID
without any access to biometrics or even revealing the 12-digit number,
will gather pace in 2019.
Aadhaar touched multiple facets of
people’s lives as it became the default identifier, until doubts emerged
that collection of biometric details could infringe on a citizen’s
privacy rights. Then, the SC upheld the constitutional validity of the
world’s largest biometric identification database, but spelt out its new
limitations.
Right to privacy
After last year’s
assertion that Indians have a right to privacy, the apex court in
September 2018 redefined the boundaries of the biometric authentication —
Aadhaar can be used for payment of government benefits and taxation
records but private companies were barred from accessing it.
In a
4-1 judgement the SC held that Aadhaar will remain compulsory for the
filing of Income Tax (IT) returns and allotment of Permanent Account
Number (PAN).
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