[Chapter-delegates] Privacy : Why are private business operators empowered to insist on biometrics?

[Waqas Hassan]

Hi sivasubramanian

Biometric verification system (BVS) had been initiated and completed in
Pakistan two years back. BVS was launched as a part of the country's
attempts to streamline the database of subscribers' antecedents since the
misuse of SIMs was alarmingly high. By misuse, i refer to fraudulent,
obnoxious, anti-state and terror activities. Unverified SIMs were blocked,
about 26 million to be exact. Now a days, a new SIM can only be activated
after getting it biometrically verified.
I am not sure if a similar strategy is being adopted in India as you have
mentioned only one operator that is asking for biometric verification in
the email.

Regards

Waqas Hassan
General Secretary
ISOC Pakistan Islamabad Chapter

On 5 Dec 2017 18:02, "Sivasubramanian M" <isolatednet at gmail.com> wrote:

Might be happening everywhere. In this instance, Airtel, one of India's
Telecom operators requires all subscribers to bring their National Id cards
to their premises and present biometrics to them for 'verification'.  Where
is this leading to ? (See the image in the forwarded mail below that says,
"visit the nearest Airtel store with your Id (Aadhar), give your
fingerprints)

Sivasubramanian M
President
Internet Society India Chennai.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Airtel" <impinfo at mailer.airtel.com>
Date: Dec 5, 2017 6:00 PM
Subject: Important- Verify your Airtel Mobile with Aadhaar!
To: <isolatednet at gmail.com>
Cc:

As per the directive from Govt. of India, it is mandatory to verify your
mobile number with Aadhaar before 6-Feb-2018. Please follow below mentioned
steps to complete the verification for your Airtel Mobile 9952403099
<099524%2003099>.
Visit the nearest * Airtel Store *
<http://oemm2.airtel.com/r.html?uid=1.bl.27rba.wh.dr84f0u513>
Share Aadhaar number with our executive to update
Give your fingerprints for biometric verification
Confirm the OTP sent on your number
Done! Your Aadhaar is linked

For Airtel Store details, click www.airtel.in/store
<http://oemm2.airtel.com/r.html?uid=1.bl.27rba.wk.3z5g4qdp08> or *SMS STORE
<Area PIN Code>* to *121*



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