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Government Refutes Claims of IT Department Accessing DigiYatra Data for Tax Scrutiny

The Indian government has denied recent allegations that the Income Tax (IT) Department is using data from the DigiYatra app to identify potential tax evaders. The claims, which were initially reported by The New Indian Express, have sparked significant privacy concerns. However, both DigiYatra CEO Suresh Khadakbhavi and the Ministry of Civil Aviation have strongly refuted these allegations, emphasizing the app’s privacy-focused design. live Newztalkies.com explores this unfolding story.

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Understanding the Controversy: DigiYatra and Privacy Concerns

DigiYatra, an initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, was designed to simplify air travel by employing facial recognition technology (FRT). The app collects biometric data, travel credentials, and identification documents to provide passengers with a paperless and seamless airport experience.

Recently, concerns arose after reports suggested that the IT Department was cross-referencing DigiYatra passenger data with income tax filings to identify discrepancies, particularly targeting high-spending frequent flyers.

DigiYatra CEO Dismisses Allegations

Suresh Khadakbhavi, the CEO of DigiYatra, has categorically denied these claims, describing them as “baseless and unfounded.” He clarified that the app adheres to the Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) framework, ensuring that all Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is stored locally on users’ devices rather than a central server.

“DigiYatra does not maintain a central repository of user data, making it impossible for any external entity, including government departments, to access the information,” said Khadakbhavi.

He also highlighted the app’s achievements, including surpassing 9 million active users in 2024, as evidence of its growing popularity and reliability.

Ministry of Civil Aviation Backs DigiYatra

The Ministry of Civil Aviation echoed the CEO’s sentiments, calling the report “unfounded and inaccurate.” In an official statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the ministry emphasized that:

DigiYatra operates on an SSI model, where data is stored exclusively on users’ devices.
Passenger data is automatically deleted within 24 hours of flight departure from airport systems.
If a user uninstalls the app, all related data is permanently erased.

These measures, according to the ministry, ensure robust privacy protections and make unauthorized access virtually impossible.

Potential Loopholes: Critics Raise Questions

Despite these reassurances, some critics have questioned the app’s operations. Given that DigiYatra requires passengers to upload sensitive information such as Aadhaar or passport details, there are concerns about the data verification process.

Critics argue that even if a central repository doesn’t exist, some level of data cross-verification may still occur behind the scenes. This has led to speculation about potential privacy vulnerabilities in the system.

Additionally, live Newztalkies.com highlights concerns raised by privacy advocates who suggest that temporary storage of user data for verification purposes might create opportunities for misuse.

Broader Implications: The Debate on Data Governance

The controversy surrounding DigiYatra has reignited debates about data privacy and governance in India. Critics accuse the government of focusing on small-scale tax evasion instead of addressing systemic issues like large-scale loan frauds and corruption.

One widely shared social media post criticized DigiYatra and similar initiatives, likening them to previous measures such as demonetization, which allegedly target “small offenders” while ignoring larger systemic issues.

If the allegations were true, they would mark a significant shift in how passenger data is utilized, raising ethical concerns about the balance between surveillance and privacy.

Conclusion: Ensuring Transparency and Accountability

While the allegations remain unsubstantiated, the incident underscores the importance of transparency in data governance. As live Newztalkies.com continues to report, DigiYatra’s privacy-first approach has garnered widespread approval, but concerns about data misuse persist.

The live Newztalkies.com team, committed to providing factual and legitimate insights, will keep a close eye on further developments surrounding this issue. Stay tuned for updates on this and other pressing tech news.