Updates and Case Studies

Read our detailed analysis of every FRT Project which is being deployed in the country. The case study will look at the background of the project, how many people it will affect and its scope and legality.

Update

Read our response to the Niti Aayog's draft discussion paper on facial recognition technology

Published on December 12, 2022

In our response, we highlight certain policy and implementation issues that will arise from the use of facial recognition technology and suggest recommendations to resolve these issues.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Update

Brief explainer on Niti Aayog's discussion paper on facial recognition technology

Published on November 21, 2022

In this explainer, we briefly unpack the draft discussion paper published by the Niti Aayog titled “Responsible AI for All: Adopting the Framework – A use case approach on Facial Recognition Technology”.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Case Study

IFF explains DigiYatra: Turbulence ahead

Published on January 29, 2022

In the second part of our series on the Ministry of Civil Aviation's DigiYatra Scheme, we analyse how the collected personal data may end up commercialised even as the Scheme fails to deliver on its promised convenience.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Case Study

The dangers of DigiYatra & facial recognition enabled paperless air travel #SaveOurPrivacy

Published on January 18, 2022

You may think that using your face as a boarding pass would make travelling so much better. However, can it have a downside as well? Read our explainer to know more.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Update

One year of #ProjectPanoptic

Published on November 29, 2021

As we celebrate the one year anniversary of our Project Panoptic, we take a look back at everything we have been able to achieve through the project and what we aim to do moving forward.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Case Study

Project Panoptic has partnered with Amnesty International & Article 19 to launch #BanTheScan in India

Published on November 11, 2021

IFF's Project Panoptic has partnered with Amnesty International and Article 19 to launch the #BanTheScan campaign against the rampant proliferation of facial recognition use in Hyderabad.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Case Study

National Highway Authority of India

Published on September 22, 2021

This case study aims to look at the facial recognition based attendance system being put in place by the National Highway Authority of India.

Yashaswini Basu

Yashaswini Basu

Privacy & RTI Fellow, IFF

Update

We wrote to the Govt. of Meghalaya against the use of FRT for verification of pensioner's identities

Published on August 16, 2021

We provided support to Mr. Jade Jeremiah Lyngdoh, a law student, in drafting a letter to the Govt. of Meghalaya in which we highlighted the possible privacy concerns of using FRT to verification of pensioners' identity.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Case Study

Government endorses the use of facial recognition for “touchless” vaccination process

Published on July 4, 2021

We filed an RTI application with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to verify reports about the government using facial recognition technology (FRT) for the verification of beneficiaries of the COVID-19 vaccines. In their response the Ministry confirmed the use of FRT.

Yashaswini Basu

Yashaswini Basu

Privacy & RTI Fellow, IFF

Case Study

From investigation to conviction: How does the Police use FRT?

Published on July 2, 2021

In this post, we look at how the Police uses facial recognition technology based on its accuracy rates as well as analyse the admissibility of FRT based evidence in courts.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Case Study

Emotion Recognition Technology: An explainer

Published on June 21, 2021

Wondering where emotion recognition originated and what it entails? Read this short explainer on the technology and why its use is problematic.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Case Study

Facial Recognition Laws in China

Published on June 3, 2021

In the third part of our series on FRT regulation around the world, we will take a look at what are the existing laws regulating FRT in China, the reality of FRT development & use by them and how it affects India.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Update

The Delhi Govt. is using facial recognition on children in Govt. schools

Published on May 24, 2021

We wrote to the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) urging them to step in to protect child rights in Delhi against use of harmful facial recognition technology in schools.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Case Study

Facial Recognition Laws in Europe

Published on May 13, 2021

In the second part of our series on FRT regulation around the world, we will take a look at what are the existing laws regulating FRT in Europe and where regulation is headed.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Case Study

Facial Recognition Laws in the United States

Published on May 3, 2021

In the first part of our new series on FRT regulation around the world, we will take a look at what are the existing laws regulating FRT in the United States, how they developed and where regulation is headed.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Update

We urge CBSE to consider the pandemic as a time for care for students, not violations of their privacy.

Published on April 16, 2021

Read our analysis of CBSE's response to our representation on facial recognition use on students for access to digital documents.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Update

Joint Statement: Say no to Aadhaar based Facial Recognition for Vaccination!

Published on April 14, 2021

In the Joint Statement, we highlight our concerns on the use of this inaccurate technology for access to vaccines, how it may lead to potentially life threatening exclusion and ask for public support & sign ons.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Update

We wrote to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT asking them to conduct hearings on the use of facial recognition tech by the Govt.

Published on February 9, 2021

Read our letter to the Parliamentary Standing Committee, where we relay our concerns on use of facial recognition tech by the government and ask them to call relevant stakeholders such as ministry officials and privacy experts to depose before them.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Update

A rose by any other name? CBSE's face matching technology is just facial recognition in disguise

Published on January 21, 2021

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Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Update

Right to Information Updates from Delhi Police, Kolkata Police and Telangana State Technology Services

Published on December 1, 2020

Replies to Right to Information requests filed with the Delhi Police, the Kolkata Police and the Telangana State Technology Services shed light on how these public authorities are using their facial recognition technology systems.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Case Study

South Western Railways

Published on November 24, 2020

This case study looks at the Phase-1 implementation of IP VSS by the Ministry of Railways through the South Western Railways.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Case Study

Ministry of Railways: Internet Protocol (IP) based Video Surveillance System (VSS)

Published on November 24, 2020

This case study looks at the facial recognition project in the works for the Ministry of Railways which aims to increase security at railway stations.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Case Study

Telangana State Election Commission

Published on October 31, 2020

The Telangana State Election Commission released a circular which stated that they would run a pilot project where 10 polling stations will use facial recognition technology to verify/authenticate the identity of voters in a bid to counter voter impersonation.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Case Study

Delhi Police

Published on October 24, 2020

During the protests which took place last year, multiple reports emerged of the Delhi Police using facial recognition technology. Here's a case study on the legal provisions of this and how it affects you.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Update

IFF's Legal Notice to the NCRB on the Revised RFP for the National Automated Facial Recognition System

Published on July 15, 2020

IFF has sent the NCRB a legal notice asking them to recall the revised RFP for AFRS citing concerns of violations of fundamental rights of privacy and freedom of speech and expression.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Update

We wrote to NCRB and MHA requesting them to halt their ongoing National Automated Facial Recognition System (AFRS) project

Published on April 22, 2020

We have shared a representation with the NCRB and the Hon’ble Minister of Home Affairs Mr. Amit Shah highlighting the legal and constitutional issues with their National Automated Facial Recognition System (AFRS) project.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Case Study

Illegal use of Facial Recognition for Voter Verification in Telangana

Published on March 17, 2020

IFF filed RTI requests with the Telangana State Election Commission and Telangana State Technology Services pursuant to the use of Facial Recognition Technology for voter verification in the urban local body elections in Kompally in January, 2020.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Update

RTI response reveals CCTV deployment by Chandigarh Police without legal safeguards

Published on March 2, 2020

IFF filed an RTI with the Chandigarh Police regarding their use of CCTVs and FRT in Chandigarh. Read about the replies received and our analysis of them.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Update

Lessons from the International Debate on Facial Recognition

Published on February 25, 2020

We trace the international debate on the use of facial recognition technology.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Update

Problems with Facial Recognition Technology Operating in a Legal Vacuum

Published on February 20, 2020

In the second part of our series on facial recognition, we look at the concerns which emerge from the deployment of facial recognition without any regulations in place. While the obvious problem is the deployment of a inaccurate FRT system, an accurate FRT system comes with (privacy) concerns of its own.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Update

Introduction to Facial Recognition Projects in India

Published on February 17, 2020

In the first part of a three part series, we map major facial recognition projects being implemented by the Central and State Governments and broadly classify them according to intended purpose.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Update

The Delhi Police must stop it's facial recognition system

Published on December 29, 2019

We wrote to the Delhi Police asking for a complete halt and recall of their facial recognition technology system.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF

Case Study

NCRB's National Automated Facial Recognition System

The NCRB has issued a Request for Proposals which invites bids for the creation of a National Automated Facial Recognition System (AFRS), having an estimated budget of INR 308 crore, to further create a national database of photographs.

Anushka Jain

Anushka Jain

Policy Counsel, IFF