The facial recognition is mandatory for all the authentication that requires Aadhaar. According to the Unique Identification authority of India, the facial recognition would be an extra feature in addition to the regular authentication process which includes verifying the identity of the person through the iris scan and fingerprints scan.
UIDAI has already issued the circulars regarding the same to the Authentication user agencies, Authentication service agencies and certified biometric providers. The UIDAI has made it very clear that failure to follow the process would come under the legal purview and be considered as illegal on the part of the authentication agencies. Such offences would be punishable with fine as well as imprisonment under Section 42 and 43 of Aadhar Act 2016.
The authorities are taking up such measures to create a extra layer of security which would make the whole Aadhar process fail proof. In the past people have faced the issues such as not being identified and verified under the Aadhar authentication process simply because their fingerprints were not clear after a certain age or maybe they were involved in various manual labor.
Services that require Aadhar authentication
Most popular services that require authentication are obtaining a new or duplicate SIM card, verification done by the Banks, Public distribution at ration shops, office attendance system at government institutions and so on.
Moreover, the person would have to go through the facial recognition can be done every time, the person uses the Aadhar authentication. As far as the SIM cards are concerned, for not it is just applicable for the new SIMs. However, starting September 15th, at least 10% authentication would be through facial recognition.
UIDAI also ensures that the normal changes in the face such as hairstyle, ageing or shaving would not impact the facial recognition which means it would be a standard and sophisticated process.
When would it be implemented?
According to the authorities, the facial recognition feature would be rolled out phased manner. It would initially be limited to the telecom companies only. After reaching the 10% of the capacity, the authorities would look out for any issues in the process and probable outcomes. Eventually, the service would be expanded beyond the telecom and used in other applications.
