India Expands Aadhaar Authentication, Sparking Renewed Privacy Concerns

India Expands Aadhaar Authentication, Sparking Renewed Privacy Concerns

India's recent move to broaden the scope of its Aadhaar authentication service has ignited a fresh wave of privacy debates. Aadhaar, a biometric-based digital identity system encompassing over 1.4 billion individuals, is now accessible to a wider range of businesses, including those in e-commerce, travel, hospitality, and healthcare. While the government touts the amendment as a step towards improved service delivery and good governance, critics argue that it significantly expands potential avenues for misuse of sensitive biometric data, especially in the absence of robust safeguards. This expansion raises fundamental questions about the balance between convenience and individual privacy in a rapidly digitizing India. Background: The Aadhaar System and its Controversies: Aadhaar, meaning "foundation" in Hindi, was introduced as a unique 12-digit identification number for every Indian resident. It collects biometric data, including fingerprints and iris scans, and links …