Indian Court Questions Digi Yatra's Aadhaar-Based Registration
India's Kerala High Court has stated that Digi Yatra, the digital travel clearance system, should not primarily require Aadhaar details at registration if a passenger can establish identity through another valid government-issued ID.
The Kerala High Court in India has raised questions regarding the Digi Yatra system's requirement for Aadhaar details during registration. The bench indicated that the system should not mandate Aadhaar if passengers can prove their identity with alternative government-issued identification.
The court's query touches upon concerns about data privacy and the necessity of collecting sensitive information. A petition against the system argues that it compels passengers to submit extensive personal data, including biometrics and travel history.
This stance aligns with previous Supreme Court rulings that have limited the mandatory use of Aadhaar, particularly by private entities, emphasizing that it cannot be a compulsory identifier if other proofs are available.
Digi Yatra, which uses facial recognition technology to streamline passenger processing at airports, has been described as voluntary. However, the court suggested that mandating Aadhaar details, even on a voluntary platform, could be problematic.
The court has requested Digi Yatra's counsel to provide clarity on whether other forms of identification would suffice for registration. A further hearing is scheduled in two weeks.