Rise in global use of Aadhaar-like IDs dangerous, say civil society groups
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Vulnerable sections (SC/ST, minorities, disabled, elderly, children)· Mains·
Why in news
Fifty-four civil society groups and over 200 individuals signed an open letter on World Human Rights Day expressing concern over the global rise of Aadhaar-like biometric IDs and risks of social control.
Background
The open letter highlights concerns regarding Aadhaar's role as digital public infrastructure (DPI) and potential data security breaches. It alleges that the government bypassed parliamentary oversight and violated Supreme Court orders regarding Aadhaar's usage.
Facts for Prelims
- BodyUIDAI: The Unique Identification Authority of India is the body responsible for Aadhaar.
- PlaceThe letter was released on World Human Rights Day.
For Mains
Q. Critically analyze the tension between the use of biometric identity systems for efficient service delivery and the protection of individual privacy and data security.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Surveillance risk: Potential for state-led social control through centralized biometric data tracking
- Legislative gap: Lack of robust parliamentary oversight and statutory frameworks for DPI data usage
- Judicial conflict: Challenges in aligning technological expansion with existing Supreme Court mandates on privacy
Keywords: Digital Public Infrastructure · Biometric Identity · Data Sovereignty · Social Control · Privacy Rights
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