The Income Tax Department refuted reports which stated that DigiYatra data will be used to crack down on tax evaders.
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Amid rising concerns over data privacy and its potential misuse, government authorities have stepped forward to address recent speculations surrounding a widely used digital platform. The Ministry of Civil Aviation clarified on Monday that passenger data from DigiYatra is not shared with tax authorities. Earlier, the Income Tax Department also dismissed reports suggesting that DigiYatra data would be used to target tax evaders.
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Why Government Clarified?
The clarification comes after a newspaper article claimed that the government is using passenger data from the DigiYatra app to spot discrepancies in tax filings. The report, which suggested that the app’s passenger details were being utilised to detect tax evasion, sparked a significant uproar on social media.
In a post on X, the ministry said there is no sharing of DigiYatra passengers’ data with tax authorities.
“The DigiYatra app follows the Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) model, where Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and travel credentials are stored exclusively on the user’s device, not on any central repository. Furthermore, if a user uninstalls the DigiYatra app, the data is deleted entirely,” the ministry said in a post on X.
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Further, the ministry said airport systems automatically purge passenger data within 24 hours of the flight’s departure.
The Income Tax Department, in a post on X, refuted reports which stated that DigiYatra data will be used to crack down on tax evaders.
“It is seen that news articles have appeared stating that DigiYatra data will be used to crack down on tax evaders,” the post said.
“In this connection, it is clarified that as on date there is no such move by the @IncomeTaxIndia department,” it said.
The CEO of DigiYatra Foundation Suresh Khadakbhavi too denied the media report terming it as “unfounded claims based on unknown sources.”
“It is crucial to clarify that DigiYatra operates without storing any Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in any central repository. This ensures there is no database to breach, share, lose, or leak, safeguarding user privacy, Khadakbhavi said in a post on LinkedIn.
What Is DigiYatra?
DigiYatra is an initiative by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA) and Digi Yatra Foundation designed to offer a Biometric Enabled Seamless Travel (BEST) experience through Facial Recognition System (FRS). It enables contactless passenger identification at key checkpoints like airport entry, security checks, and boarding gates.
Passenger data shared for DigiYatra is stored in an encrypted format. To use the service, passengers must register their details on the DigiYatra app by completing Aadhaar-based verification and capturing a self-image. Afterward, they need to scan their boarding pass, and the credentials are securely shared with the airport.
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DigiYatra App Download
Where To Download DigiYatra?
The DigiYatra app is available for download on both the Google Play Store (for Android) and the App Store (for iOS).
How To Register On DigiYatra?
To register on the DigiYatra app, follow these steps:
- Download the DigiYatra App: Get the app from the Google Play Store or App Store.
- Register with Phone Number: Enter your mobile number and verify it using an OTP.
- Link Aadhaar Credentials: Use DigiLocker or directly link your Aadhaar number to the app.
- If you’re not registered on DigiLocker, create an account using Aadhaar.
- Capture a Selfie: Take a clear selfie and validate it with your Aadhaar details. Save the credentials.
- Tip: Ensure that the name on your boarding pass matches the name on your Aadhaar for seamless travel.
