FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY(FRT) -ASTR

Recently, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications has developed an artificial-intelligence (AI)-based facial recognition tool — called Artificial Intelligence and Facial Recognition powered Solution for Telecom SIM Subscriber Verification (ASTR).

 

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  • ASTR, launched under Sanchar Saathi Initiative, is an AI powered tool to identify SIMs issued using fraudulent/forged documents.

o ASTR has capability of running checks on subscriber databases of telecom operators to deduce whether it contains                 multiple connections associated with the same person.

 

  • ASTR identifies if more than eight SIM connections have been obtained in one person’s name, which is not allowed as per DoT rules.
  • In 2012, DoT had issued an order to all telecom operators to share their subscriber database including pictures of users with the department.
  • ASTR analyses this database subscriber images provided by telecom operators and put them into groups of similar-looking images using Facial Recognition Technology (FRT).

 

About Sanchar Saathi Portal

 

  • Sanchar Saathi helps citizens to know the mobile connections issued in their name; report fraudulent or unrequired connections; block mobile phones which are stolen/lost and check IMEI genuineness before buying a mobile phone.
  • It contains various modules like
  1.  CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register): For blocking stolen/lost mobiles.
  2. Telecom Analytics for Fraud Management and Consumer Protection (TAFCOP): It facilitates a user to check the number of mobile connections taken in her/him name using paper-based documents.
  3. ASTR: To identify fraudulent subscribers.
  4. Know your mobile connections: To know mobile connections registered in your name

 

 

About Facial Recognition Technology (FRT)

 

  • Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) is a way of identifying or confirming an individual’s identity using their face. It can be used to identify people in photos, videos, or in real-time.

o Computer algorithms map unique facial and marks such as shape of cheekbones, contours of lips etc. and convert                   these into a numerical code— termed a face print.

✓ It relies on many of the processes and techniques associated with AI.

o for verification or identification, system compares face print generated with a large existing database of face prints.

 

HOW FACE RECOGNITION SOFTWARE WORKS?

 

 

  • CAPTURING

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The foremost requirement is to capture the image and that can be done by scanning existing images or using cameras.

 

 

  • EXTRACTING

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Unique facial data is then extracted from the sample.

 

  • COMPARING

 

  • Artificial face recognition abstract technology

The data is then compared with the database.

 

  • MATCHING

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The software then decides whether the sample matches any picture in database or not

 

CONCERNS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY (FRT)

 

  • Privacy and Consent: Lack of control over storage, extent, and informed consent with respect to use of facial data by public and private players, resulting in privacy invasion.

 

  • Data protection law: In India, there is absence of Facial Recognition Technology (FRT)- specific regulatory set up and legal framework to govern data protection, storage and use especially in context of personal biometric data.

o Recently, the government also withdrew Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019.

 

  • In-accuracy: Technical errors due to occlusion (a partial or complete obstruction of the image), bad lighting, facial expression, ageing etc. leading to inaccurate identification.

 

  • Under-representation: Errors in Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) occur due to lack of data pertaining to certain groups of people.

o Disparity has been observed in identification of Indian men and women and accuracy rates fall starkly based on race,                   gender, skin colour etc.

 

  • Technological challenges: Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) is prone to digital attacks or the use of physical or digital portraits, 3D-Models, such as masks or deep-fakes etc. to bypass the system.

 

APPLICATIONS AND BENEFITS OF FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY

 

  • Fraud detection

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Verify the identity of actual person in case of risky or suspicious activity

  • Crime investigation

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Facilitate crime investigation, identity missing children/persons, unidentified dead bodies and provide information for easier and faster analysis.

  • Airport

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FRT in form of e-passports reduces wait times and improves security: Digi Yatra

  • Banking

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ATM cash withdrawals and checkout registers can use facial recognition for approving payment

  • Health care

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To gain access to patient records and streamline patient registration process in a healthcare facility and auto detect pain and emotion in patients.

 

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