National Automated Facial Recognition System

What is the issue?

• The implementation of National Automated Facial Recognition System has raised concerns regarding the inadequate safeguards.

What is National Automated Facial Recognition System (NAFRS)?

• It is a biometric technology that uses distinctive features of the face to identify and distinguish an individual.
• It works primarily by capturing the face & its features through camera and algorithms are used to reconstruct the faceprint
• The system compares the faceprint generated with a large existing database of faceprints for identification or verification

Was AFRS used in India Earlier?

• In August 2018, Telangana police launched their own facial recognition facility.
• Ministry of Civil Aviation’s “DigiYatra” has used the facial recognition system, on a trial basis in Hyderabad airport
• NCRB’s Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) uses automated facial recognition

How is it useful?

• To identify criminals, missing people, and unidentified dead bodies as used in CCTNS
• It will prevent the use of fake citizen IDs by fraudsters, infiltration of terrorists, illegal immigrants,etc.
• It is easier and automatic and doesn’t need huge manpower
• Use of NAFRS eases the checking procedural delays in airports

What are the implications of using NAFRS?

• Mass surveillance – Automated face recognition might lead to a police state

For instance, China uses automated face recognition system for surveillance of Uighur Muslims in Xingiang province

• Accuracy -  The accuracy of facial recognition is around 70% with the a possibility of producing false positives
• Right to privacy – this system violates the privacy of individuals which is a fundamental right as envisaged in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy vs Union of India (2017)
• Storage of data - Personal Data Protection Bill (PDPB) is still pending and absence of clear guidelines compromises data security
• Impact on civil liberties – The technology dis-incentivises independent journalism, right to assemble peaceably without arms etc.

How can the issues be addressed?

• Proper data protection framework must be in place before implementing the Automated Facial Recognition System
• NAFRS needs statutory backing for legitimacy
• Since police and law and order are state subjects, indepth analysis of the system by states is needed before implementation

Source: The Hindu