Indian telecoms regulator TRAI has recommended that the Department of Telecom (DoT) allow electronic KYC of the country’s biometrics-backed Aadhaar ID as one of the valid documents for getting a new mobile connection. Should the government agree, this will enable instant identity verification using Aadhaar card biometrics data for a new mobile connection. Proponents say that when operators issue new connections using the Aadhaar card, it would speed up the verification process as everything will be done online.
Neighbouring Pakistan and Bangladesh both require fingerprint data for SIM card registration. Meanwhile, the country is also considering the use of tablets to enable Aadhaar enrolment of under-fives. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) will roll-out the project nationwide following a trial last year in Jharkhand. However, no biometric data will be collected for children below five.
