AMN
The government has rejected media reports stating that Digi Yatra data will be used to crack down on tax evaders. The Civil Aviation Ministry has clarified that such reports concerning Digi Yatra are based on unfounded and inaccurate claims. It added that there is no sharing of Digi Yatra passenger data with Indian tax authorities.
The Ministry highlighted that the Digi Yatra app follows the Self-Sovereign Identity model, where Personally Identifiable Information and travel credentials are stored exclusively on the user’s device, not on any central repository. It further said that if a user uninstalls the Digi Yatra app, the data is deleted entirely. Additionally, airport systems automatically purge passenger data within 24 hours of the flight’s departure. The Minister also said that Digi Yatra is designed solely for domestic passengers and does not apply to international travelers. Meanwhile, the Income Tax Department also clarified that there is no such move by it as of now. Digi Yatra is a facial recognition technology used for contactless and seamless movement of passengers at different airport checkpoints.