UIDAI makes face recognition feature mandatory for Aadhaar authentication
New Delhi : The Unique Identification Authority of India's (UIDAI) plans to implement the face recognition feature as an additional mode of Aadhaar authentication are yet to take off, but that has not stopped it from making it a mandatory requirement ahead of the scheduled rollout.
Last week, the authority tasked with issuing the 12-digit biometric number finally announced a phased rollout of the feature, starting with telecom service providers from September 15. The plan was to implement it by the previous deadline of August 1 that had failed due to the non-readiness of some device providers.
However, it is unclear if the UIDAI has face recognition data as it had only taken Iris scan details of those applying for Aadhar card.
According to The Times of India, UIDAI has announced a new measure that seeks to mandate facial recognition - by taking on-the-spot live pictures - for every authentication that requires Aadhaar. Services that most commonly require Aadhaar authentication include banks, the public distribution system and issuance of a mobile SIM card, new as well as replacements.
Explaining how the new system would work, UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey said that whenever an individual would seek authentication based on Aadhaar, the authorised machine/device being used for the purpose would also capture a picture of the face of the individual. The photo, along with the fingerprint or iris scan, would be sent to UIDAI, which will verify the details on its database, and thereafter send a confirmation of the authenticity of the individual based on the above. Pandey added that the authentication process is very sophisticated and will not be impacted by changes to a person's face, say, growing a beard.
Significantly, the UIDAI further stated that live face photo capture and its verification with the photo obtained in eKYC will be essential where Aadhaar is used for issuance of SIMs. For authentication agencies other than TSPs, the body said specific instructions will be issued on implementing this new feature but did not specify a fresh deadline.
"Face authentication is the latest technology, and provides added security. After we hit 10 per cent of authentication transactions, we will have a review of any possible shortfalls that we notice in the system or processes. Thereafter, we will expand, within telecom and also to other service areas where separate instructions shall be issued," Pandey told the daily.
Citing sources, the report added that failure to follow the process will be treated as a criminal offence by authentication agencies, punishable with imprisonment and fine under Section 42 and 43 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016.
According to UIDAI, the measure is being used to provide an added security layer, while also making the Aadhaar process more inclusive while curbing the possibility of fingerprint spoofing or cloning. "There have been numerous instances where people have been excluded from Aadhaar authentication as their fingerprints are worn out due to old age, or since they are involved in manual labour or agriculture. The use of facial recognition will help include such people in the Aadhaar authentication process," Pandey added.
The body has also proposed a monetary disincentive for telcos for non-compliance. "TSPs (telecom service providers) are hereby directed that with effect from September 15, 2018, at least 10 per cent of their total monthly authentication transactions shall be performed using face authentication in this manner. Any shortfall in transactions using face authentication would be charged at Rs 0.20 (20 paise) per transaction," read a recent UIDAI circular.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court continues to hear petitions challenging Aadhaar's constitutional validity.
courtesy: businesstoday.in
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Explosion near CRPF School in Delhi caused by lit cigarette butts: Report
New Delhi: The investigation team that probed the explosion that took place outside the CRPF School in the Prashant Vihar area of the city on October 20 morning has reportedly not found any terror force behind the blast.
The investigation team, consisting of Delhi Police and staff members from central agencies, has stated in its report that cigarette butts thrown by a local resident might have come in contact with industrial waste and have caused the explosion. Circumstantial evidence does not show the incident to have a terror angle to it, reports The Indian Express.
The Delhi Police, the city bomb squad and the fire brigade had rushed to the spot following the explosion, which was initially believed to have been caused by a crude bomb. The forensic experts who inspected the spot hinted at the presence of potassium chlorate, hydrogen peroxide and some electrical wires there. The school wall had been damaged and the windows of a car nearby had shattered in the explosion.
The investigation team scanned the CCTV camera footage and zeroed in on around 10 people questioned. A senior police officer said that a North Delhi-based businessman from Prashant Vihar was found to be present at the spot around five minutes before the explosion, as he had come there on Sunday morning to walk his dog. The CCTV footage showed him smoking and, after questioning him, the team concluded that he had left lit cigarette butts before leaving the spot, the officer added.
The spot where the explosion took place is learned to have been usually used for dumping garbage and also has a public urinal.
An officer has said that the Delhi Police had consulted forensic and technical experts of the National Security Guard regarding the things found on the explosion site but are yet to get the report. The officer added that they have found no detonator so far.
