At 13 airports of the country, 30 thousand passengers are taking contactless, paperless and hassle-free entry by just showing their face at the gate with Digiatra app. This app has been downloaded more than 50 lakh times. In which so far 2.90 crore passengers have given their facial biometrics. But the passengers may not even know that all their information from facial data and app is going into the hands of a private company, Digiatra Foundation. This foundation is registered as per Section 8 of Companies Act 2013. This private company has 6 shareholders, with participation from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kochi airports. Each has 14.6-14.6 % share and all these airports are owned by private companies. Airport Authority of India has the largest participation in this. Suresh Khadakbavi, Chief Executive Officer, Digiatra Foundation, says on data security that we are committed to empowerment in terms of data handling and privacy. It may be noted here that in 2022 when the Digiatra app was launched, it was said that they would not share data. Claims made… No data sharing, real intention… Increase airport shopping If you look at the interface of the Digiatra app, it is clearly written that it does not share data with any third party and no data is collected. But how can the collected data be deleted? Disha Verma of the Internet Freedom Foundation says that Digitra's data sharing policy states who you are allowing your data to be shared with. It is stated that this data may be provided to Foundation personnel, advisors, agents and third parties who provide services to the Foundation. This data can be shared with foundation employees and their organizations to carry out their programs, campaigns to users. Which includes marketing and sales. If it is claimed that no data is stored. Its aim is not limited to collecting passenger data and boosting business at airport shops… While Digiatra was said to make travel easier, expert Disha Verma says the reality is that its benefits are limited to entry gates only… This allows passengers to quickly enter the airport and keep themselves busy with shopping. They have no role in security checks. That means its benefits are limited to facial recognition, data collection and boosting the business of airport shops. However, the government is laying special emphasis on this. Airlines, on the other hand, are under pressure to share passenger data in real time. Digitra now intends to expand. Taxi services, shopping and hotel services can also be included in its scope, threat… use in surveillance, for example… not so in other countries Big threat due to data getting into the hands of private company… data monetization; Private companies may use passenger data for commercial purposes and target advertising. surveillance; The data can also be used for passenger surveillance. Personal interest paramount; It is natural that any company prioritizes its interests over people. increasing prevalence; Suresh Khadakbavi, CEO of Digiatra, says that 16 more airports are set to join. Currently there are 13 airports. Out of RTI; Digiatra app has been excluded from the ambit of RTI. The organization has hired a private company called Data Evolve, a tech provider. From America to European countries and from Singapore to Australia, technology solutions are being provided to provide easy access to passengers, but these are not controlled by private companies but by government agencies. The role of private companies is limited to technology support… such as providing technologies like biometrics, scanners and software etc. Assisting in system integration and maintenance and data analytics and processing work etc. Private companies like Samsung and LG help run South Korea's Ministry of Justice. Border control agencies in Australia and New Zealand are being run with technical assistance from private companies. In America, private companies handle customs and border protection. Many questions regarding Digiatra are still unsolved…
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Bhaskar Investigation: Digiatra; Data of 50 lakh passengers in private hands
