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.
Brief explainer on Niti Aayog's discussion paper on facial recognition technology
Published on November 21, 2022In 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”.
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Anushka Jain
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
IFF explains DigiYatra: Turbulence ahead
Published on January 29, 2022In 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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
The dangers of DigiYatra & facial recognition enabled paperless air travel #SaveOurPrivacy
Published on January 18, 2022You 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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
One year of #ProjectPanoptic
Published on November 29, 2021As 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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
Project Panoptic has partnered with Amnesty International & Article 19 to launch #BanTheScan in India
Published on November 11, 2021IFF'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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
National Highway Authority of India
Published on September 22, 2021This 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
Privacy & RTI Fellow, IFF
We wrote to the Govt. of Meghalaya against the use of FRT for verification of pensioner's identities
Published on August 16, 2021We 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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
Government endorses the use of facial recognition for “touchless” vaccination process
Published on July 4, 2021We 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
Privacy & RTI Fellow, IFF
From investigation to conviction: How does the Police use FRT?
Published on July 2, 2021In 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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
Emotion Recognition Technology: An explainer
Published on June 21, 2021Wondering where emotion recognition originated and what it entails? Read this short explainer on the technology and why its use is problematic.
Anushka Jain
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
Facial Recognition Laws in China
Published on June 3, 2021In 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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
The Delhi Govt. is using facial recognition on children in Govt. schools
Published on May 24, 2021We 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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
Facial Recognition Laws in Europe
Published on May 13, 2021In 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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
Facial Recognition Laws in the United States
Published on May 3, 2021In 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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
We urge CBSE to consider the pandemic as a time for care for students, not violations of their privacy.
Published on April 16, 2021Read our analysis of CBSE's response to our representation on facial recognition use on students for access to digital documents.
Anushka Jain
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
Joint Statement: Say no to Aadhaar based Facial Recognition for Vaccination!
Published on April 14, 2021In 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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
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, 2021Read 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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
A rose by any other name? CBSE's face matching technology is just facial recognition in disguise
Published on January 21, 2021None
Anushka Jain
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
Right to Information Updates from Delhi Police, Kolkata Police and Telangana State Technology Services
Published on December 1, 2020Replies 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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
South Western Railways
Published on November 24, 2020This case study looks at the Phase-1 implementation of IP VSS by the Ministry of Railways through the South Western Railways.
Anushka Jain
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
Ministry of Railways: Internet Protocol (IP) based Video Surveillance System (VSS)
Published on November 24, 2020This 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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
Telangana State Election Commission
Published on October 31, 2020The 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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
Delhi Police
Published on October 24, 2020During 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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
IFF's Legal Notice to the NCRB on the Revised RFP for the National Automated Facial Recognition System
Published on July 15, 2020IFF 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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
We wrote to NCRB and MHA requesting them to halt their ongoing National Automated Facial Recognition System (AFRS) project
Published on April 22, 2020We 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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
Illegal use of Facial Recognition for Voter Verification in Telangana
Published on March 17, 2020IFF 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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
RTI response reveals CCTV deployment by Chandigarh Police without legal safeguards
Published on March 2, 2020IFF 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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
Lessons from the International Debate on Facial Recognition
Published on February 25, 2020We trace the international debate on the use of facial recognition technology.
Anushka Jain
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
Problems with Facial Recognition Technology Operating in a Legal Vacuum
Published on February 20, 2020In 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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
Introduction to Facial Recognition Projects in India
Published on February 17, 2020In 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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
The Delhi Police must stop it's facial recognition system
Published on December 29, 2019We wrote to the Delhi Police asking for a complete halt and recall of their facial recognition technology system.
Anushka Jain
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF
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
Associate Counsel (Surveillance & Transparency), IFF