India launched Digi Yatra to provide passengers with a smooth and stress-free air travel experience. Based on Facial Recognition Technology (FRT), Digi Yatra is designed to ensure that passengers at airports are processed contactless and seamlessly.

The project envisions that travellers will be able to pass through various airport checkpoints using facial features to establish their identity, which could be linked to the boarding pass, through paperless and contactless processing. 

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In the first phase, it will be launched at three airports: Delhi, Bengaluru, and Varanasi. By March 2023, it will be available at four airports: Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, and Vijayawada. 

A one-time registration on the Digi Yatra app with a self-image capture and Aadhaar-based validation is required to use this facility.

What is facial recognition technology?

Facial recognition is an algorithm-based technology that matches an individual’s facial features against a database to which it has access to create a digital map of their face.

A large database of photos and videos of people’s faces used in the Automated Facial Recognition System (AFRS) is used to match and identify the individual. Using Artificial Intelligence technology, a CCTV image of an unidentified individual is compared to the existing database for pattern-finding and matching.

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How does it work?

The primary method by which the facial recognition system functions is by first using a camera to capture the face and its features, and then by reconstructing those features using various software. The features of the captured face are saved in a database that can be integrated with any software used for banking, security, or other purposes.

The facial map is obtained to be compared to the person’s photograph in a database to verify their identity. Further, a photo or video serves as the source for the facial map, which is then compared to the entire database to identify the subject.

Debates over facial recognition technology

While the government intends to address the issue of privacy through a legal framework like the data privacy regime, it conflicts with the goals it wants to achieve through the use of such technology.

This can multiply the force in India, where there are only 144 constables for every one lakh people. It doesn’t need a lot of manpower or frequent upgrades and thus it can be beneficial for the country.

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However, inaccuracy in this technology could lead to “Misidentification” and can also create a harmful practice of “Mass Surveillance” in the country.

It has also been reported that race and gender have a significant impact on its accuracy rates. A false positive, in which a person is mistaken for someone else, or a false negative, in which a person is not verified as themselves, are both possible outcomes of this. 

A false positive could result in bias against the person who has been misidentified. False-negative results can also prevent a person from gaining access to essential programs that may make use of FRT to grant access.