UIDAI mandates new facial recognition for all Aadhaar authentications

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) today has announced its plans and measures to mandate facial recognition by taking on-the-spot live pictures for every authentication that requires Aadhaar. The facial recognition will join as an additional authentication method which currently relies on fingerprints or iris (eye) scans. The measure is being implemented following 'official circulars' sent by UIDAI on June 19 and August 17 to Authentication User Agencies (AUAs), Authentication Service Agencies (ASAs), and certified biometric device providers. UIDAI  said that the measure is being used to provide an added security layer. The new authentication process would be rolled out "in a phased manner", and would initially be mandated for telecom providers. The new authentication process for Telecom operators will come into effect from September 15th and at least 10% of their total monthly authentication transactions should be performed using facial recognition. Failing to do so will result in a penalty of 20 paise per transaction. Whenever an individual seeks authentication based on Aadhaar, the authorized device would also capture a picture of the face of the individual. Then 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 ...