Facial recognition devices for Cheyutha pensions

The Hindu

30-05-2025

In a effort to disburse social security pensions more efficiently, and curb potential fund leakages, the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) is set to procure over 6,000 facial recognition devices, in line with the latest guidelines issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
The guidelines, which came into effect earlier this year, recommend the phasing out of devices with older configurations, and encourage the adoption of newer device specifications.
The facial recognition-based authentication is intended for the Cheyutha social security pension scheme, which provides funds to widows, handloom and beedi workers, patients undergoing dialysis or affected by filariasis, as well as individuals diagnosed with AIDS. The scheme also extends health insurance cover of ₹10 lakh under the Rajiv Aarogyasri initiative.
The devices, either mobile phones or tablets, will be deployed across districts, with SERP planning to integrate facial recognition technology developed by a vendor of its choosing.
Digital rights researcher and privacy activist Srinivas Kodali issued a word of caution. He said that any government must ensure transparency in the implementation of such technology.
'Authorities must inform people whose photographs are being collected for facial recognition purposes. With the UIDAI and other authorities now using facial recognition for other identification checks, people should be made aware of why their photo is being taken and be informed of their right to privacy,' he said.
S.Q. Masood, who is a petitioner in a case in the Telangana High Court challenging the use of facial recognition by law enforcement agencies, also issued a word of caution.
'Government departments must consider challenges such as internet connectivity, infrastructural limitations, and environmental conditions that could affect the reliability of facial recognition systems. Unless these systems are 100% accurate, there is a real risk of beneficiaries being excluded or inconvenienced,' he said.