Now, UIDAI allows face recognition for Aadhaar biometric authentication

The move will enable easy authentication for those individuals who face a difficulty in other biometric authentication like fingerprint and iris

 

The UIDAI on Monday allowed face recognition as additional means of Aadhaar authentication to be used in combination with existing ways such as fingerprint or iris scan.

The move will enable easy authentication for those individuals who face a difficulty in other biometric authentication like fingerprint and iris.

The facility is being allowed only in a "fusion mode" that is along with other existing means of authentication, and will be available by July 1, 2018, an official release said.

"This facility is going to help in inclusive authentication of those who are not able to biometrically authenticate due to their worn out fingerprints, old age or hard work conditions," the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) said.

As of now, two modes of biometric authentication, fingerprint authentication and iris authentication, are allowed under Aadhaar.

"The face authentication provides additional option for all residents to have inclusive authentication.

It shall be allowed only in fusion mode along with one more authentication factor combined with either fingerprint or iris or OTP to be able to successfully authenticate an Aadhaar number holder," UIDAI said.

The new method will also be allowed "on need basis".

Monday's move comes close on the heels of the biggest overhaul of Aadhaar system by the UIDAI last week when it allowed individuals to create and use a virtual ID to avoid sharing 

their unique identity numbers, when using government and other services.

Users will, from March 1, have the option of generating a 16-digit virtual identity mapped to their Aadhaar number that can be shared with telecom companies and others at the time of authenticating their identity.

From June 1, 2018, it will be compulsory for all agencies, which undertake authentication, to accept the virtual IDs from their users.

Aadhaar could be a single target for cyber criminals: RBI researchers

A recent investigation alleged that unrestricted access to details of over one billion Aadhaar numbers can be purchased at as little as Rs 500

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The benefits of Aadhaar, India’s biometrics-based unique national identity system–the world’s largest–are unclear and the impact of direct benefit transfers it will be used to deliver to the poor is not studied enough, a new study published by an arm of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has concluded.

The paper, ‘Biometric and Its Impact in India’, was a part of Staff Papers series published in its October 2017 edition. It is written by S Ananth, an adjunct faculty at the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT), which was established by the RBI as an autonomous institute.

Also read : Iris Scan To Add Layer To Aadhaar Authentication

Aadhaar is becoming central to India’s public policy with increasing number of programmes being linked to it. And its scope is constantly increasing. In the seven years following its introduction, 1.12 billion Indians or 88.2% of the population have enrolled for Aadhaar, IndiaSpend reported in March, 2017.

Established by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) under Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, Aadhaar is now used for direct benefit transfers as well as distribution of foodgrains and essential commodities–under the public distribution system (PDS)–by the state. It includes various payments linked through Aadhaar-enabled payment system....

Read more about : Aadhar data leak

UIDAI begins probe on breach of Aadhaar database, initiates FIR

UIDAI says Aadhaar not a secret number and biometric data was not leaked

 

 

The Unique Identification Authority of India has begun investigations into a report that claimed access to its database of identity details of more than a billion citizens was being sold for just Rs 500 on social media.

The report in The Tribune had said the paper was able to buy login credentials to the Aadhaar database, allowing it to access information such as the names, telephone numbers and addresses of millions of people. The paper said it bought access from someone on a WhatsApp group.

The authority said the case appeared to be an instance of misuse of the grievance redress search facility. “Legal action, including lodging of FIR against the persons involved in the case, is being pursued,” the UIDAI said, while ensuring there had not been any breach of the biometric database.

“The Aadhaar number is not a secret number. It is to be shared with authorised agencies whenever an Aadhaar-holder wishes to avail of certain services. But that does not mean that the proper use of the Aadhaar number poses a security or financial threat,” it said....

Aadhaar breach: Rs 500 is all it takes to get details of a billion Indians

A report claims to have bought access to a cheap software, which can be used to print the Aadhaar card of any individual

Anonymous sellers on Whatsapp are said to be providing 'unrestricted' access to the Aadhaar details of more than a billion Indians for just Rs 500, according to an investigation by The Tribune on Wednesday. The paper also claims to have bought access to a software for Rs 300, which can be used to print the Aadhaar card of any individual by entering their Aadhaar number.

Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number that is issued by the UIDAI( Unique Identity Development Authority of India) to every resident Indian citizen, after recording biometric and demographic information about an individual.

The report says that the racket may have started when over 300,000 Village Level Operators(VLEs), earlier mandated to make Aadhaar cards across India were rendered jobless when post offices and banks were given the job instead, in November 2017. Over 100,000 VLEs, sensing an opportunity to make easy money, might have gained illegal access to UIDAI data and provided “Aadhaar services” to common people for a charge, including the printing of Aadhaar cards.

If true, this would spell a serious breach of national security as the UIDAI has linked Aadhaar to individuals' fingerprints and iris scans. The government's unfettered access to citizens biometric details has already been in the centre of much debate in the civil society.....

Read more : Aadhar data breach