UIDAI announces phased rollout of face authentication

Aadhaar advances in technology! Aadhaar-issuing body UIDAI (Unique Identity Authority of India) has announced phased roll-out of face recognition for carrying out Aadhaar authentication from September 15, 2018 as an additional security layer.

• It has also announced a new feature 'live face photo', which is the live feed of a person's facial features whose 12-digit unique number Aadhaar is submitted.

About Face Recognition:

• The face authentication will be in addition to fingerprint or iris scans for Aadhaar authentication.
• In the initial phase, telecom service providers (TSPs) will be the first to use face recognition to authenticate subscribers while issuing new SIM cards.
• In later phases, it will be rolled out to all agencies using Aadhaar for authentication in phases.

What is the significance of this move?

• This move is aimed at curbing the possibility of fingerprint cloning or spoofing and also seeks to tighten the audit process and security around the issuance and activation of mobile SIMs.
• It will also help to solve the authentication problem for those who have issues regarding fingerprint and iris scan.
• Fingerprints wear out either with a person's old age or due to jobs such as heavy manual labour.

What are the directions to TSPs from UIDAI?

• UIDAI has directed TSPs to target at least 10% of their total monthly authentication transactions using face authentication.
• Any shortfall in transactions using face authentication will be charged at Rs 0.20 per transaction.
• It will be the responsibility of TSPs to verify live photo captured using face authentication at their backend system with photo received in eKYC (electronic know your customer) before activation of the SIM. 
• TSP will store both photos in its database for audit purpose.

Question:

Q. Aadhaar-issuing body UIDAI (Unique Identity Authority of India) has announced phased roll-out of which feature for carrying out Aadhaar authentication from September 15, 2018 as an additional security layer?
a. Finger Print Recognition
b. Retinal Scan
c. Face Recognition
d. None of the above