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Digi Yatra, the contactless travel system based on Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) at airports, has faced complaints regarding the collection of biometric data without passengers’ consent. Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has addressed these concerns, stating that Digi Yatra is entirely voluntary for air passengers. Airport personnel have been instructed to gather data for the application only with the passengers’ consent. Scindia has assured that airport operators have been advised to educate Digi buddies on the consent process and emphasize the voluntary nature of Digi Yatra.
To facilitate the use of Digi Yatra, airports have deployed Digi buddies who assist passengers. Scindia clarified in a letter to Rajya Sabha member Saket Gokhale that Digi Yatra is aimed at providing seamless and hassle-free air travel, and passenger consent is a prerequisite for registering facial biometrics on the app. The minister also mentioned that the airport system automatically deletes the data within 24 hours after the flight departure.
To utilize Digi Yatra, passengers need to register their details on the DigiYatra app using Aadhaar-based validation and a self-image capture. After scanning the boarding pass, the passenger’s credentials are verified by the airport’s facial recognition system at the e-gate. Once the validation process is complete, passengers can proceed through the e-gate and follow the standard security procedures before boarding the aircraft.
It is important to note that Digi Yatra is operated by the Digi Yatra Foundation, a not-for-profit company dedicated to facilitating seamless travel experiences. The system is currently available at a minimum of 13 airports across India for domestic passengers.
This article was first published on Jan 27, 2024, at 5:43 PM IST.
Digi Yatra is an initiative introduced by the Indian government to enhance the air travel experience for passengers through the use of digital technology. It aims to simplify the journey by eliminating the need for physical documents and manual verification processes.
Recently, Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Minister of Civil Aviation in India, emphasized that the implementation of Digi Yatra is voluntary. Passengers have the choice to opt-in or opt-out of this system as per their convenience.
Regarding data collection, Scindia reassured that passenger data will only be collected after obtaining their consent. This ensures that privacy concerns are addressed and individuals have full control over their personal information.
Overall, Digi Yatra offers a seamless and secure travel experience while maintaining the privacy and autonomy of passengers.
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