UIDAI Explains Limits on Accessing Aadhaar Data for Deceased Persons

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has informed the Madras High Court that it is not possible to compare the fingerprints of deceased individuals with the Aadhaar database for the purpose of identifying an unknown body. This statement was made in response to a case filed by the Tamil Nadu police, who had sought access to Aadhaar data to determine the identity of an unidentified body.

UIDAI highlights challenges in using Aadhaar data for identifying deceased individuals.

In a counter affidavit filed before Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan, the UIDAI outlined several key reasons for their position. The authority pointed out that the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits, and Services) Act, 2016 imposes strict limitations on the sharing of Aadhaar-related information. These legal restrictions prevent the agency from disclosing personal data without proper authorization, further complicating the request from the police.

Additionally, the UIDAI highlighted significant technological limitations in the process of accessing information about deceased individuals based on their biometric data. Due to the nature of the fingerprint recognition system, extracting and verifying the identity of the deceased using Aadhaar information is currently unfeasible, the affidavit noted.

The UIDAI's submission underscores the complexities involved in the use of Aadhaar data, particularly in situations related to deceased persons. As the legal and technological landscape surrounding Aadhaar continues to evolve, the case raises questions about the accessibility and limits of biometric databases in identifying individuals after death.