I-T Department Clarifies On DigiYatra Data Usage Amid Tax Evasion Claims

The Income Tax Department clarified on December 30, denying reports that passenger data from the DigiYatra app would be used to identify tax evaders. In a statement posted on X, the department said, "It is seen that news articles have appeared stating that DigiYatra data will be used to crack down on tax evaders. In this connection, it is clarified that as of now, there is no such move by the @IncomeTaxIndia department."

Also, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has denied allegations that Indian tax authorities are using DigiYatra passenger data to track tax evaders. It clarified that DigiYatra follows a self-sovereign identity (SSI) model, ensuring that personally identifiable information (PII) and travel credentials are stored solely on the user’s device, not in any central database.

DigiYatra CEO Suresh Khadakabhavi addressed the privacy issues brought up by these reports in a post on X, stating, "No central storage of biometric or personal data exists. All data stays on users' devices, and facial authentication is decentralized. With 9M+ users and 42M+ secure journeys, privacy is a non-negotiable aspect of our platform."

DigiYatra uses Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) to enable seamless, contactless movement at airport checkpoints. To register, passengers validate their Aadhaar and capture a self-image. The boarding pass is then scanned, and encrypted credentials are sent to the airport. Managed by the Digi Yatra Foundation, it is supported by key stakeholders like the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and major airports such as Cochin, Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.