August 17, 2011 By Korath V. Mathew
UID is all about identifying a person with respect to his/her biometrics. One’s photo or profile has comparatively very less significance. These can be changed by applying again, but not biometrics and the linked UID. Hence, it is natural that some citizens are worried about losing sensitive data. But why is there no criticism when biometrics is sought for licences and RSBY health cards?
The only additional data being captured now is iris. The outrageous criticism of UID is unjustified. Secondly, the safety of the so-called biometrics collected for other purposes is not ensured but that is not the case with CIDR in UID. This is the first time biometrics is being kept safely, at least better than other contemporary applications, and I am sure the critics of UID will agree. Yet, they feel private data can be lost by UIDAI. They never felt so in the past, even though the data was seldom kept under secure encryption and a state-of-the-art technology firewall.
It is pertinent to note that biometrics has been in use for long. UK, western countries and even UAE capture biometrics of all foreigners. But till date there has been no complaint or debate. However, when biometrics is being used for creating UID to empower citizens to prevent impersonation, duplication and exploitation there is anger and criticism. Again, UID does not make biometrics data available for viewing, it does not provide it to any other agency. The UIDAI system only verifies the identity of a citizen and does not pass his/her biometrics to any other authority. After all this information and security measures why is there an outburst against UID from some sections?
Is empowering citizens a crime? Who will benefit if UID does not take off? Are vested interests trying to sabotage the project?”
(The author is director of Akshaya Kerala State IT Mission)
The only additional data being captured now is iris. The outrageous criticism of UID is unjustified. Secondly, the safety of the so-called biometrics collected for other purposes is not ensured but that is not the case with CIDR in UID. This is the first time biometrics is being kept safely, at least better than other contemporary applications, and I am sure the critics of UID will agree. Yet, they feel private data can be lost by UIDAI. They never felt so in the past, even though the data was seldom kept under secure encryption and a state-of-the-art technology firewall.
It is pertinent to note that biometrics has been in use for long. UK, western countries and even UAE capture biometrics of all foreigners. But till date there has been no complaint or debate. However, when biometrics is being used for creating UID to empower citizens to prevent impersonation, duplication and exploitation there is anger and criticism. Again, UID does not make biometrics data available for viewing, it does not provide it to any other agency. The UIDAI system only verifies the identity of a citizen and does not pass his/her biometrics to any other authority. After all this information and security measures why is there an outburst against UID from some sections?
Is empowering citizens a crime? Who will benefit if UID does not take off? Are vested interests trying to sabotage the project?”
(The author is director of Akshaya Kerala State IT Mission)