Unveiling the Emerging Trends in Missing Biometrics at CIDR (811)
Biometrics has taken center stage in the era of digitization, and it has been helping governments and organizations all over the world in security and identity verification. However, not everything is glitch-free, and missing biometrics is one of the biggest challenges in the industry. Every time a biometric is missing, it raises serious security and identification concerns, and at the same time, it can be a roadblock for efficient service delivery.
CIDR (Central Identities Data Repository), the largest biometric database in the world, has been an integral part of India’s digitization drive since its inception. The UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India), the governing body responsible for managing CIDR, has been closely monitoring the emerging trends in missing biometrics and taking measures to overcome the challenges associated with it. In this blog, we shall delve deeper into the present-day scenario of missing biometrics at CIDR (811) and the latest trends and developments in mitigating the issue.
Understanding the Concept of Missing Biometrics
Missing biometrics refers to the failure of the biometric system to capture and store an individual’s biometric data accurately. This can happen due to various reasons such as technical glitches, poor-quality capture devices, worn-out fingerprints, inexperience of the capture operator, etc. Missing biometrics can occur for any biometric modality, which includes fingerprints, iris, face, and biometric metadata.
At CIDR, missing biometrics have been a primary concern due to the sheer volume of data being captured and stored. According to the UIDAI, the missing fingerprint rate for Aadhaar authentication stands at 6.6%, and the missing iris rate is around 1.8%. Although the percentages may seem small on paper, it still amounts to millions of individuals who are not getting their services due to the missing biometrics.
Biometric Exceptions: A Game-Changer for CIDR (811)
To mitigate the issue of missing biometrics, the UIDAI has been working on implementing biometric exceptions. Biometric exceptions refer to the collection of additional data from the missing biometric modality to determine a match. The process involves collecting supplementary data such as mobile number, email, and demographic details and combining them with other biometric modalities to determine a unique match.
For example, in the case of missing fingerprints, the UIDAI has introduced the concept of partial fingerprint matching. This procedure involves matching partial fingerprint information with other fingerprints stored in CIDR, along with the collection of additional data, to determine a positive match. Similarly, in the case of missing iris, the UIDAI combines the face and demographic data to determine the match.
Trends in Mitigating Missing Biometrics
Apart from biometric exceptions, the UIDAI has been pushing for other measures to mitigate the issue of missing biometrics. Some of the notable trends are:
1. Training of Capture Operators: Inexperienced operators are one of the primary reasons for missing biometrics. To address the issue, the UIDAI has rolled out extensive training programs for capture operators, which include teaching them on how to handle different types of fingerprints and other biometric modalities accurately.
2. Upgradation of Capture Devices: Another reason for missing biometrics is the poor quality of capture devices. The UIDAI has been pushing for the upgradation of capture devices to capture biometrics accurately.
3. Introducing New Biometric Modalities: To enhance the biometric data collection process, the UIDAI has been exploring new biometric modalities such as voice recognition and palm prints.
Conclusion
Missing biometrics can have serious implications on identity verification and security. Being the world’s largest biometric database, CIDR has been at the forefront of addressing the issue. With the implementation of biometric exceptions and other measures, the UIDAI is making significant strides in mitigating the problem of missing biometrics. By keeping up with emerging trends in biometric technology, CIDR can continue to deliver efficient services to millions of individuals in India.
