India’s Top Court Fails to Address ‘Critical Problems’ of Giant Biometrics Cache
India’s Supreme Court on Wednesday overhauled some of the rules guiding its biometric identification database - the largest in the world - while affirming that the database does not infringe on the privacy rights of citizens.
The program, called Aadhaar, or "foundation" in Hindi, was launched in 2010 with the goal of giving every citizen of India an identification number. With more than 1.2 billion people enrolled in the program, according to the government — a number nearing that of the population — the government has been able to crack down on corruption and fraud when the state distributes food rations and fuel, it says.
But critics maintain some skepticism. "Aadhaar also has a number of security issues with its implementation. A primary concern is that the Aadhaar document itself is a piece of paper that is unverifiable without special computer software, and though the card should be free, some agencies are charging for it," web developer and technologist Chris Garaffa told Sputnik News Wednesday. "These two issues seem to counter the claim that Aadhaar can be used to combat fraud."
There are also concerns that the database could be hacked. The Unique Identification Authority of India, the organization which runs Aadhaar, has "suffered data leaks of the private information — such as financial transactions — linked to the Aadhaar program," Garaffa added.
The program uses photographs, fingerprints and eye scans to verify people.
"As with all technologies, the impact of the implementation is a social, economic and political question," Garaffa said. "A secure and unified identity program could provide immense opportunities for the distribution of resources and the general welfare of the public, if implemented consciously and properly."
https://sputniknews.com/asia/201809261068368634-Indias-ailst-Address-Problems-Biometrics/