Critics to debate privacy issues of UID project

BANGALORE: For the first time after the government announced the Unique Identification Project, an organised critical debate on the potential benefits and pitfalls of the scheme will take place in Bangalore on April 16.

Some critics of the project, which aims at issuing unique identification numbers (UIDs) to all Indians, have raised concerns in the absence of strict laws protecting the privacy of Indian citizens.

The half-day workshop, titled “Unique Identity (UID) Project: A Debate on Fundamental Rights”, is co-organised by various groups, including Citizens’ Action Forum, People’s Union for Civil Liberties - Karnataka, Slum Janandolana - Karnataka, Alternative Law Forum and the Centre for Internet and Society (CIS).

The workshop will be divided into panel discussion sessions on social/ethical concerns, economic issues and legal implications of the UID.

According to CIS, the UID scheme proceeds from the standpoint that solving the problem of identity will help tackle other social and economic problems.

However, seen against the backdrop of work on a National Population Registry, the National Intelligence Grid and other schemes that focus on the collection of data on individuals, the potential dangers to privacy and other civil liberties need to be discussed along with the stated benefits of the project.

“Given that the key laws relating to the project are not yet enacted, this is a timely exercise and opportunity to influence change,” says the CIS.

Critics often quote examples of countries such as the UK, Australia and the USA where they claim similar measures have been found to be unworkable with a possibility of abuse.

“Taking a strong view against the UID will be futile as the team is very knowledgeable about privacy issues and is ready for dialogue and self-correction.

However, it will be a good time to explore how it will shape our understanding of privacy, which needs to be looked upon as a fundamental right,” said Nishant Shah (Director - Research), CIS India.

Bangalore is set to become a hub of activities for the Unique Identification Authority of India as Karnataka has been chosen as one of the states where the project, led by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, will be implemented first.