Recently, over 6.6 lakh pensioners utilized ‘Facial Authentication Technology’ in 2023-24 to verify their digital life certificates (DLCs) for EPFO pensions.

About Facial Authentication Technology

Facial recognition, a type of biometric software, can uniquely identify or verify individuals by analyzing patterns in their facial contours.

• Components: The majority of Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) systems consist of three primary components:
  • A camera
  • A database containing stored images
  • An algorithm that generates a “faceprint” from captured images for comparison with those in the database.
• Operation: The facial recognition system operates by initially capturing facial features via a camera, followed by the reconstruction of these features using diverse software. 
  • Subsequently, the captured facial data, along with its features, is stored in a database, capable of integration with various software applications utilized for security measures, banking services, etc.

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Applications of Facial  Authentication Technology

• Identification of Face: Facial recognition systems distinguish individuals based on their facial images.
  • For instance, they are employed to eradicate duplicates within a nationwide voter registration system, addressing instances where the same individual was allocated multiple identification numbers.
• Access Control: In numerous access control scenarios, such as office entry or computer login, the number of individuals requiring recognition is typically limited. 
  • Consequently, the facial recognition system used in these applications can attain high accuracy with minimal user cooperation.
• Security: Airport security relies heavily on facial recognition technology to swiftly identify potential threats.
  • For example, Facial Authentication Technology  systems are being tested at airports in Kolkata, Varanasi, Pune, Vijayawada, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad as part of the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s Digi Yatra initiative.
• Image Database Searches: This involves querying image databases containing records of licensed drivers, welfare recipients, missing children, immigrants, and individuals booked by the police.
  • For example, the Department of Personnel and Training  introduced a “unique” face recognition technology aimed at serving as a “proof of life certificate” for pensioners, thereby enhancing convenience for retired and elderly citizens.
• Identity Verification in Various Fields: This encompasses electoral registration, banking, electronic commerce, newborn identification, national IDs, passport issuance, and employee identification.
• Surveillance: In addition to security applications in public spaces, face recognition systems serve another purpose in surveillance.
  • For instance, as part of a larger initiative by Indian Railways, facial recognition technology is being considered for implementation at railway stations to “detect criminals.”
• Healthcare: Hospitals utilize facial recognition to enhance patient care. Healthcare providers are exploring the use of facial recognition for tasks such as accessing patient records, simplifying patient registration, identifying emotions and pain levels in patients, and even aiding in the identification of specific genetic diseases.

Applications of Facial Recognition Systems in India

• Life Certificate proof: As a proof of ‘life certificate’ for pensioners.
• Operation Smile: Implemented in Operation Smile by the Telangana Police for regular campaigns aimed at combating child labor and locating missing children.
• State Law Enforcement Utilization: Facial recognition deployment by state law agencies (Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, etc.) for investigative purposes.
• Education Sector Application: Providing digital mark sheets to students by CBSE.
• Financial Services Pilot Program: UIDAI’s pilot program, in conjunction with the National Payments Corporation, testing the functionality of FRT for financial services.
• Automated Facial Recognition System: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) to develop an Automated Facial Recognition System (AFRS) utilizing police records.

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Views on Facial Recognition Technology by various countries

• Facial Recognition Surveillance: Integration with existing CCTV systems, AI, and data analytics raises concerns about mass surveillance.
  • Example: China’s utilization for monitoring and controlling Uighur Muslims.
  • It was also used in the UK to monitor football fans arriving for a match in 2020. 
  • In India too there have been concerns over the use of facial recognition technology by police, especially during protests.
• United States of America: In the US, some Congress members have proposed the Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act, seeking to ban federal entities from using facial recognition and other biometric technologies like voice and gait recognition.
• European Union: The European Union has passed a non-binding resolution banning police use of facial recognition technology. This issue will be central to the upcoming debate and vote on the EU’s AI Act in the EU Parliament.

Issues Regarding the Use of Facial Recognition Technology

• Accuracy Concerns: Facial recognition technology yields probabilistic results and has been shown to be disproportionately inaccurate when applied to specific demographics.
• Function Creep Risk: This occurs when a technology or system gradually expands its scope from its initial purpose to encompass broader functions.
• Potential Violation of Fundamental Rights: The right to privacy under Article 21 may be compromised due to ambiguity and absence of consent regarding data collection, storage, sharing, usage, and accountability.
  • The right to free movement within India’s territory under Article 19(1)(d) may be undermined by eroding privacy in public areas.
• Data Protection Concerns: Concerns arise due to the lack of data protection regulations in India regarding the collection, retention, security, and sharing of datasets within both public and private entities.
• Cybersecurity Risks: Facial data, categorized as sensitive personal information, poses a threat if breached by hackers, potentially resulting in fraud, identity theft, etc.
• Limitations of Technology: Several factors impact the ability of facial recognition technology to accurately identify individuals, including camera angles, lighting conditions, image or video quality, disguises, and changes in physical appearance over time.

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