[WSF-Discuss] Please give suggestions for UID - India's Unique Identity Project

[Sukla Sen]

Dear Vinay,

Thanks for the initiative.

This is a project that, however, needs be outright opposed and scuttled for
the reasons as enunciated below.

Two Category of Indians
Indian citizens may be divided into essentially two broad categories,
a significant overlap zone notwithstanding.
One, who are on the right side of the net-divide, and the other falling on
the wrong side.
Of course, there are significant gradations particularly within the latter
category. More than one-third Indians, as per the latest official estimates,
fall below the line called BPL (Below Poverty Line). In simpler terms they
just manage to carry on, for a much shorter while than would have been
otherwise possible, in utterly wretched conditions. And about one-third of
Indians are "illiterate". The level of functional illiteracy is expected to
be significantly higher. There is of course an obvious correlation between
"poverty" and "illiteracy".

The problems to be faced by those who are paupers, near-paupers, without any
regular shelter etc., and functionally illiterate would be of a very
different kind than from those who'd be responding to this questionnaire.
That has got to be clearly acknowledged at the very outset.

Feasibility Issue
But before taking up the problems of these two (broad) categories, first let
us look into the aspect of "feasibility".

The sheer size of Indian population is enormous - just below 1.2 billion or
thereabout, at the time of penning this note.
Then there is the regular inflow and also deletion.
About 70% live in villages. Significant sections of urbanites live in
shanties and even on the roadsides.
A large number of births take place at "home" without any state or
institutional interventions.
As a consequence, the current rate of birth registration is understandably
low. The official position is : "Despite having the registration of birth &
death compulsory under the statute [for the last 4 decades, and no less],
the level of registration of births and deaths under the Act has continued
to be far from satisfactory in several states/UTs."
That should give us a glimpse, just a glimpse though, into the enormity of
the tasks that the UID project would entail.

*Actual Experience*
While our experiences, in terms of accuracies, with the PAN card, the
passport or the driving license, setting aside the issue of procedural
complexities and hassles, are quite satisfactory; in case of the ration
cards things dip. And with election ID cards, which is the nearest possible
approximation today in terms of numbers covered, is quite appalling.
And then the issue of non-registration.

Implications of Inaccuracies
While inaccuracies in election IDs hardly affect our daily lives, we just
don't bother.
Things would be quite different in case of the UID number and related data
entry. It'd have serious implications. Difficult to estimate in the absence
of proper info.

Impact on the Wretched of India
Even a "perfect" system, one will find extremely baffling. And consequently
will be unable to handle. Quote the number as and when required, even if
manages to obtain one.
That could have serious implications turning one into a non-citizen and the
very existence criminalised thereby. Given the pattern of relationship
between the state (functionaries) and the "people" that obtain - the level
of corruption and highhandedness, life may just turn an unending nightmare
with gory exploitations and humiliations.

Without near-universal functional literacy backed up by strong community
network and support, things could just turn horrific depending upon the
scope of coverage/applicability of the UID number.

And if things become horrifying for a sizable number of our people, others
cannot but be affected if not today at least tomorrow.
In any case, such a situation is morally impermissible.

Impact on Netizens
Here the main issues are: privacy, data security and identity theft.

*Loss of Privacy*
>From a lay person's point of view, one would find the very idea of the big
brother/sister all the while snooping over the shoulder is extremely
uncomfortable.
Even if the stored data are "absolutely" secure, one does not not know how
many state, and even non-state, agencies would have access to one's data.
And, at the end of the day, these agencies are constituted of human
individuals. What sort of legitimate, and illegitimate, use they will make
of such info. And what inconveniences and threats such "legitimate" access
to data would entail.
On this issue, for a detailed discussion: <
http://www.hrdc.net/sahrdc/hrfeatures/HRF169.htm>.

*Data Security and Identity Theft*
There is no electronic data storage system on this earth which is immune to
hacking or illegitimate access, through designs, and at times even through
accidents and errors. Even the military data of the most powerful states get
broken into.
As long as these private data are dispersed and patchy, the damages are
usually somewhat limited. As is the case with credit cards. But more the
use, higher is the threat level. As in case of online purchases.
And when there will be a wealth of data pooled together, the damages could
be astounding.
In the extreme case of identity theft, well beyond crippling financial
losses, one may even face charges of crimes committed by someone else.

*An Illustrative but Realistic Joke as regards Loss of Privacy*
*
*
*

What Nandan Nilekani can do by his "Fully integrated ID card system"

Operator : "Thank you for calling Pizza Hut . May I have your..."
Customer: "Heloo, can I order.."
Operator : "Can I have your multi purpose ID card number first, Sir?"
Customer: "It's he., hold..on.889861356102049998-45-54610"
Operator : "OK... You're... Mr Singh and you're calling from 17 Jal Vayu.
Your home number is 22678893, your office 25076666 and your
mobile is09869798888. Which number are you calling from now Sir?"
Customer: "Home! How did you get all my phone numbers?
Operator : "We are connected to the system, Sir"
Customer: "May I order your Seafood Pizza..."
Operator : "That's not a good idea Sir"
Customer: "How come?"
Operator : "According to your medical records, you have high blood pressure
and even higher cholesterol level Sir"
Customer: "What?... What do you recommend then?"
Operator : "Try our Low Fat Pizza. You'll like it"
Customer: "How do you know for sure?"
Operator : "You borrowed a book entitled "Popular Dishes" from the National
Library last week Sir"
Customer: "OK I give up... Give me 3 family size ones, how much will that
cost?"
Operator : "That is enough for your family of 05, Sir. The total is Rs
500.00"
Customer: "Can I pay by! Credit card?"
Operator : "I'm afraid you have to pay us cash, Sir. Your credit card is
over the limit and you owe your bank Rs 23,000.75 since October.That's not
including the late payment charges on your housing loan, Sir.."
Customer: "I guess I have to run to the neighbourhood ATM and withdraw some
cash before your guy arrives"
Operator : "You can't Sir. You've reached daily limit on machine withdrawal
today"
Customer: "Never mind. I'll have the cash ready. How long it takes anyway?"
Operator : "About 45 minutes Sir, but if you can't wait you can always come
and collect it on your Nano Car..."
Customer: " What!"
Operator : "According to the details in system ,you own a Nano
car,...registration number GZ-05-AB-1107.."
Customer: " ????"
Operator : "Is there anything else Sir?"
Customer: "No. Aren't you giving me that 3 free bottles of cola as
advertised?"
Operator : "Normally yes Sir, but based on your records you're also
diabetic....... "
Customer: #$$^%&$@$% ^
Operator : "Better watch your language Sir.. Remember on 15th July 2010 you
were convicted of using abusive language on a policeman...?"
Customer Faints
*

Beyond Joke
The utterly disturbing aspect here is that the project head while tirelessly
drumbeating about his grand vision, and magical potentials, shares very
little about the actual details of the project.

*We must immediately ask for the following details:*
*1. Whether there will be a physical card or just a number in the virtual
world?*
*2. How many are going to be covered? Whether **everyone**?*
*3. If so, what is the definition of **everyone**? Any criteria in terms of
age, location etc.?*
*4. The onus lies with whom? The state or the individual?*
*5. Implications for individual in case of having, and also not having, the
number/card?*
*6. What info would be obtained and stored and how? Who'd oversee the data?
Basic outlines of the "security" system?*
*7. Who get to access? State agencies and private players?*
*8. What safeguards against misuse by those who "legitimately" access the
data?*
*9. What is the time frame?*
*10. How data updating will be done?*
*11. What will be the review procedures for the project? Details of
projected pilots, if any?*


While the project head, with the more than enthusiastic backing of an over
obliging media, never tires of drumbeating about his grand visions and
potentials to function as a miracle worker, he remains too secretive about
specific details of the project.
*It is just astounding that the UIDA apparently does not have any website of
its own!*
There are strong apprehensions that this is a mega ploy, a huge hoax,
devised to help mega loot by the IT companies. Not excluding the one with
which the project head is identified with!

*Till these info are provided, publicly displayed and discussed in a
structured manner, there must not be any move towards implementing this
project and any sizable funds from the national exchequer be spent on it.*
*
*
Sukla Sen
EKTA (Committee for Communal Amity), Mumbai


2010/1/21 <info at karmayog.org>

> The process to assign a unique identity number to each Indian has been
> started under the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
> (See http://uidai.gov.in/ for more details)
>
> It is expected that a unique identification number (UID) that can be
> verified and authenticated in an online, cost-effective manner, and which is
> robust enough to eliminate duplicate and fake identities, will help to bring
> about transformation in the lives of many Indians, who struggle daily to
> access and rightfully use resources that are available for them. Do you
> agree?
>
> Now is the time to give suggestions and inputs on how this UID Project can
> be designed and implemented to be people-friendly, useful and easily doable
> for
> government.
>
> Some examples:
> a) what are simple and effective ways to prevent misuse?
> b) is biometric identification the most suitable method to adopt in India?
> c) how can UID be used to benefit groups such as migrant workers, street
> children, etc.?
> d) should the UID be integrated with other existing I/Cards such as the Pan
> Card, Voting Card, etc.? How?
> e) have you heard of experiences of similar initiatives in other countries,
> companies, etc.?
> f) what are the experiences of NGOs which have been working with groups of
> all types and sizes, and how such persons could use and benefit from a UID.
>
> Karmayog will compile and forward all suggestions received to the UID
> Authority, as well as display all these on our website for others to read
> and respond.
>
> Thanks
> Vinay
> www.karmayog.org/uid -- bringing out your unique identity
>



-- 
Peace Is Doable
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