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Aadhaar Hits 134 Crore Users, 17,000 Crore Authentications: World's Largest ID

Aadhaar is confirmed as the world's largest biometric identity system with approximately 134 crore live users. The system has facilitated over 17,000 crore authentication transactions to date for identity verification. Union Minister Jitin Prasada detailed the ecosystem's strong privacy safeguards, including encrypted data and a strict audit framework. The government emphasized that all Aadhaar data is stored and processed within India with legal restrictions on its usage.

Key Points: Aadhaar: World's Largest Biometric ID System Hits 134 Cr Users

  • 134 crore live Aadhaar users
  • Over 17,000 crore authentication transactions
  • AI-powered face authentication for verification
  • Strong privacy safeguards & encrypted data
  • Three-tier audit framework ensures system integrity
2 min read

Aadhaar, the world's largest biometric ID system with 134 crore users: Minister

Aadhaar has 134 crore live users with over 17,000 crore authentications. Minister details AI-powered face authentication, data safeguards, and audit framework.

Aadhaar, the world's largest biometric ID system with 134 crore users: Minister
"Aadhaar has emerged as the world's largest biometric identity system - Jitin Prasada"

New Delhi, March 18

Aadhaar has emerged as the world's largest biometric identity system, with around 134 crore live users and over 17,000 crore authentication transactions completed so far, the Parliament was told on Wednesday.

Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada told the Lok Sabha, in a written reply to a question, that the Aadhaar ecosystem -- maintained by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) -- plays a key role in enabling identity verification for service delivery.

The UIDAI provides Aadhaar authentication services to authorised entities, allowing verification of an individual's identity using one-time password (OTP), biometrics such as fingerprint, iris and face, or demographic details, he said.

He added that Aadhaar-based face authentication, used by authorised entities, is powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to enable accurate verification.

According to the minister, entities seeking to use Aadhaar authentication services must be onboarded as Authentication User Agencies (AUA) or KYC User Agencies (KUA) in line with provisions of the Aadhaar Act.

On data access and retention, Prasada said authentication logs are maintained for two years by AUAs and KUAs and can be accessed by Aadhaar holders or used for grievance redressal. These logs are subsequently archived for five years before being deleted.

He also said that the Aadhaar ecosystem has been designed with strong privacy safeguards, with demographic data encrypted both at rest and in transit, along with legal restrictions on its collection, storage and usage.

The minister also highlighted that the UIDAI follows a three-tier audit framework, including self-compliance audits, annual information security audits and governance, risk, compliance and privacy (GRCP) audits to ensure system integrity.

Further, detailed standard operating procedures mandate informed consent of users, restricted use of authentication for specific purposes, secure data storage, use of certified devices and prohibition on retention of biometric data by entities.

The government said Aadhaar data is stored and processed within India, with safeguards in place to prevent any breach of these provisions.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While the scale is impressive, I still have concerns about data privacy. The article mentions safeguards, but we've all heard stories of data leaks. The government needs to be absolutely transparent about these audits and what happens if a breach occurs.
A
Arjun K
The key benefit is stopping leakages in welfare schemes. My mother gets her pension directly now, no more middlemen taking a cut. If the data is stored in India and has these encryption layers, that's a good step. Jai Hind!
S
Sarah B
As someone who has worked in digital identity projects abroad, what India has built with Aadhaar is truly world-leading in scale. The three-tier audit framework is crucial. The challenge will be maintaining security as technology evolves.
V
Vikram M
Good to know authentication logs are maintained and we can access them. That's important for accountability. But in rural areas, biometrics often fail due to hard work on farms. Hope the face authentication works better for my uncles and aunts.
K
Karthik V
It's become essential for everything now. Can't even get a new SIM card without it. The convenience is great, but it does feel a bit like "Big Brother" sometimes. We must ensure the legal restrictions on usage are strictly enforced.

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