UIDAI adds another security layer to Aadhaar, introduces face recognition
ET Bureau|
Updated: Jan 16, 2018, 08.19 AM IST
NEW DELHI: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has introduced face recognition, in addition to existing modes, in order to provide more choice to citizens using Aadhaar for authentication.
This measure, which will be implemented by July, will be used in ‘fusion’ with existing modes such as fingerprints, iris and one-time password (OTP) used for authentication. It is expected to increase security by adding another layer of verification, according to the UIDAI.
“At the time of Aadhaar enrolment, photo of the face of resident is also captured. To provide inclusive authentication, a face photo can also be leveraged to verify the identity of an Aadhaar number holder,” UIDAI said in a notification on Monday.
This is the latest in the steps taken by the UIDAI to increase security of its ecosystem after reports surfaced last week about an alleged breach of the demographic data of the citizens.
The authority said that face authentication will provide “additional choice” for those having difficulty with their fingerprints or iris authentication. Since face photos are already available in the UIDAI database there will be no need to capture any new data. And since cameras are now pervasively available on laptops and mobile phones, face capture is easily feasible for authentication agencies without needing any additional hardware. “Face authentication with liveness detection can be used as an additional factor to increase security,” the notification said.
UIDAI will work with biometric device providers to integrate face modality into the certified registered devices, and it may also provide standalone registered device service as required by the ecosystem.
Face authentication will be permitted only in “fusion mode” along with one more authentication factor, which means that it must be combined with either fingerprints or iris or OTP to be able to successfully authenticate an Aadhaar number holder. “UIDAI provides the fingerprint and iris biometric authentication to select AUAs (authentication user agencies), similarly face authentication shall also be allowed on a need basis,” the notification said.
This measure, which will be implemented by July, will be used in ‘fusion’ with existing modes such as fingerprints, iris and one-time password (OTP) used for authentication. It is expected to increase security by adding another layer of verification, according to the UIDAI.
“At the time of Aadhaar enrolment, photo of the face of resident is also captured. To provide inclusive authentication, a face photo can also be leveraged to verify the identity of an Aadhaar number holder,” UIDAI said in a notification on Monday.
This is the latest in the steps taken by the UIDAI to increase security of its ecosystem after reports surfaced last week about an alleged breach of the demographic data of the citizens.
The authority said that face authentication will provide “additional choice” for those having difficulty with their fingerprints or iris authentication. Since face photos are already available in the UIDAI database there will be no need to capture any new data. And since cameras are now pervasively available on laptops and mobile phones, face capture is easily feasible for authentication agencies without needing any additional hardware. “Face authentication with liveness detection can be used as an additional factor to increase security,” the notification said.
UIDAI will work with biometric device providers to integrate face modality into the certified registered devices, and it may also provide standalone registered device service as required by the ecosystem.
Face authentication will be permitted only in “fusion mode” along with one more authentication factor, which means that it must be combined with either fingerprints or iris or OTP to be able to successfully authenticate an Aadhaar number holder. “UIDAI provides the fingerprint and iris biometric authentication to select AUAs (authentication user agencies), similarly face authentication shall also be allowed on a need basis,” the notification said.
