India to get facial recognition tech at airports
Recently face recognition technology has been introduced for boarding at Delhi and Bengaluru airports.
The beta version (before release) of Digi Yatra has been installed at both the airports. It will allow automatic entry of passengers based on the facial recognition system (FRS) at all checkpoints.
Digi Yatra is an initiative of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. It aims to ensure seamless and hassle-free movement of passengers at airports and to improve their security.
With this initiative, the government is looking to digitize ticket booking, airport entry and boarding pass security check-in.
FRS is a way of identifying or verifying identity through a person’s face. It can be used to identify people in photos, videos or in real-time.
Computer algorithms measure the size of the cheek bones, the shape of the lips, etc, and then converts these into a numerical code. It’s called FacePrint.
For verification or identification, the system compares the new faceprint with a large existing database of faceprints.
Uses of FRS-
- There will be automatic and faster processing at checkpoints like airport entry, security checks etc.
- Facilitates crime investigation. Will provide information for easier and faster analysis.
- Identification of criminals, missing children/persons, unidentified dead bodies etc. will be possible.
Concerns about FRS:
- It can be misused for mass surveillance sponsored by the government,
- may violate privacy,
- In the absence of a data protection law, there is a risk of breach of due process etc.
Source – The Hindu
