The world’s largest biometric database makes face authentication mandatory

• India’s 12-digit unique identity system will now require face recognition as a part of the two-factor security authentication.
• The measure is mandatory for all Authentication User Agencies to adopt, or else face penalties.
  
• Non-compliance will be treated as a criminal offence under Section 42 and 43 of the Aadhaar Act.

The newest mandate by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) makes on-the-spot live pictures mandatory for any and every Aadhaar authentication. This will make the process a two-factor authentication system with a fingerprint or iris scan being the first layer of security, and facial recognition the second.

Aadhaar authentication is commonly used services in banks, public distribution system, attendance at government offices and lastly, telecom service providers for issuing a new SIM card. The latter has already been instructed to start implementing facial recognition starting September 15, 2018.

The roll-out will happen in a phased manner to all the Authentication User Agencies (AUAs) over the rest of the year. And, non-compliance will be treated as a criminal offence under Section 42 and 43 of the Aadhaar Act that threatens imprisonment and a fine.

The telecom operators, first in line to implement this measure, have been directed to perform at least 10% of their total authentication using facial recognition in the span of one month. Any shortfall will result in a 20 paise fine per transaction.

Facial recognition feature was a long time coming with reports of Aadhaar authentication failure in the case of senior citizens or people with physical disabilities. A step towards financial inclusion, facial identification would solve the problem of keeping people from what they are rightfully entitled to like their pensions and provident funds.