RTI to NHAI on AI based face recognition system

The information sought herein relates to the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-based face recognition system for attendance monitoring by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). Please provide information in response to the following queries:

1. Please state the legislation or rule which authorizes the NHAI to use facial recognition technology.

2. Please state whether any legal opinion was sought by the NHAI prior to procurement of facial recognition technology. If yes, please provide a copy of the legal opinion.

3. Please state whether any cost-benefit analysis, feasibility study or privacy impact assessment was conducted prior to deployment of facial recognition technology. If yes, please provide a copy of the same.

4. Please state whether there are any guidelines, policies, rules or standard operating procedure governing the use of facial recognition technology by NHAI . If yes, please provide a copy of the same.

5. Please state the specific purposes for which facial recognition technology is being used by the NHAI .

6. Please state the total expenditure incurred (in rupees) on procurement and maintenance of facial recognition technology with an annual breakdown.

7. Please provide a copy of the following documents relating to tender issued by NHAI for procurement of facial recognition technology:

   a. All tender documents including Request for Proposals, Request for Quotations and Scope of Work

   b. List of bidders who applied for the tender

   c. Work Order issued to the selected and the Conditions of the Contract.

8. Please provide an exhaustive list of persons and/or organizations authorised to operate and use facial recognition technology.

9. Please provide details of the software and hardware being used for facial recognition.

10. Please provide details of the database(s) in which images are stored for the purpose of facial recognition including:

    a. Where these images are sourced from

    b. Where is this database located

    c. Which persons and/or organizations who have access to this database

11. Please provide information whether any third party assessments have been made of the facial recognition technology being used. If yes, please provide a copy of the report of such assessment.

12. Please provide an exhaustive list of databases with which the facial recognition technology will be linked in order to identify individuals.

13. Please provide information with regard to the accuracy rate of the facial recognition technology being used.