Thread by @internetfreedom

You might have heard about facial recognition being used for authentication in vaccination centres. So did we — and filed an RTI application to understand the process & authenticate reports. We just got a reply confirming the use of FRT, but without any guidelines in place! (1/n)

Although official statements said that:
a. Biometric authentication for vaccines was not being used, and
b. Aadhaar was not mandatory for vaccine registration — this unchecked roll-out of FRT based systems has, understandably, caused widespread anxiety and apprehension! (2/n)

We filed an RTI application asking the MoHFW to furnish details about the use of FRT in the vaccination process.

You can peruse all of the questions that we asked by taking a look at a copy of the RTI application here: drive.google.com/file/d/1kcfjE1… (3/n)

In response to our RTI application, the MoHFW acknowledged FRT as one of the methods for online verification of beneficiaries, and said that images captured through FRT would be sent to UIDAI for verification and not stored in any distinct database. (4/n)

They informed us that:
a. No additional procurement was made for the implementation of FRT based verification.
b. A pilot project for facial recognition authentication is still under continuation. According to reports, this pilot project is being conducted in Jharkhand. (5/n)

However, copies of privacy impact assessments or legislative and legal orders authorising the use of FRT weren't provided. The ‘Verifier & Vaccinator Module User Manual’ in the COWIN portal, according to whose terms FRT is supposed to be used, was also unavailable. (6/n)

With such a response, the MoHFW has evaded the real issue and failed to supply accurate information. This violates the tenet of transparency under the RTI Act, and creates ambiguities around registration. A universal and inclusive vaccination policy is the need of the hour! (7/n)

The COVID19 vaccines are essential commodities and ensuring equitable access to vaccines is extremely important.

Imposing inaccurate & exclusionary digital ID schemes without privacy safeguards is highly problematic and can adversely impact India’s fight against COVID19! (8/n)

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