1. Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia assures that DigiYatra enrollment is voluntary.
2. Responding to TMC MP Saket Gokhale’s concerns, Scindia highlights the importance of obtaining passenger consent.
3. Instances of passengers allegedly being enrolled without explicit consent are addressed, emphasizing a hassle-free and optional experience.
New Delhi, Jan 27: Civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has clarified that enrollment in the DigiYatra program is entirely voluntary, addressing concerns raised by TMC MP Saket Gokhale.
Gokhale had reported instances where passengers were allegedly enrolled without explicit consent, prompting Scindia to emphasize that obtaining consent is a prerequisite for capturing face biometrics during kiosk-based registration.
DigiYatra is designed to offer a seamless and voluntary process for air travel, relying on a mobile app where passenger data is stored on their devices.
For passengers without the app, airports provide kiosk-based registration on the day of travel, with the consent of the passenger being essential for face biometric capture.
Scindia assured that data collected through this process is automatically purged from the airport system within 24 hours of the flight’s departure.
Also Read: DGP Emphasizes Collaborative Efforts: State and Central Forces Unite for Peace in Manipur
In response to Gokhale’s concerns, Scindia has advised airport operators to sensitize Digi buddies (airport staff assisting with the process) on the registration process and emphasize the voluntary nature of DigiYatra.
DigiYatra facilitates contactless movement of passengers at airport checkpoints using Facial Recognition Technology (FRT).
To avail of the service, passengers register details on the DigiYatra app through Aadhaar-based validation and self-image capture. The boarding pass is then scanned, and credentials are shared with the airport.
At the e-gate, passengers scan the bar-coded boarding pass, and the facial recognition system validates identity and travel documents. Following this process, passengers can enter the airport through the e-gate, after which they follow standard security procedures to board the aircraft.
The minister’s letter underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring the voluntary nature of DigiYatra.
