Govt denies reports of Digi Yatra app data being used by tax authorities to target tax evaders

The Indian government has clarified that the Digi Yatra app is not being used by the Income Tax (I-T) department to track or target tax evaders. Both the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Income Tax Department issued statements rejecting reports that Digi Yatra data is being accessed to reconcile tax filings or detect discrepancies in declared income. The Ministry emphasized that no data from Digi Yatra is shared with tax authorities, and there are no current plans to use it for tax enforcement purposes.

Digi Yatra, an initiative designed to streamline the airport experience, uses Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) to provide passengers with a contactless journey through various checkpoints. To access the service, passengers are required to register their details on the Digi Yatra app through Aadhaar-based validation, followed by a selfie for identity verification. The app then allows users to scan their boarding passes, and the necessary travel credentials are shared with the airport systems to facilitate check-ins and security processes.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation further explained that Digi Yatra follows the Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) model, ensuring that all Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and travel credentials are stored locally on the user's device. No data is stored in a central repository, and if a user uninstalls the app, all their data is immediately deleted. Additionally, the airport systems purge passenger data automatically within 24 hours of a flight’s departure to prevent any unnecessary data retention.

Currently, the Digi Yatra app is available only for domestic flights within India. It does not apply to international travelers, and the system is not designed to handle or process data related to international flights. The Ministry of Civil Aviation reiterated that Digi Yatra’s scope is limited to domestic air travel and clarified that no integration with international travel data exists.

As of late 2024, the Digi Yatra app has more than nine million active users, reflecting its growing adoption among domestic passengers. The app has faced scrutiny over privacy concerns due to the use of biometric data, but authorities have reassured the public that the data is encrypted and securely stored on the user’s device, with no central database that could be accessed by government agencies or other entities. The Digi Yatra Foundation, which operates the app, has stressed its commitment to user privacy and data security, highlighting that no central repository of passenger data exists for misuse or unauthorized access.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation hereby clarifies that the recent media report concerning Digi Yatra is based on unfounded and inaccurate claims.

There is no sharing of Digi Yatra passengers data with Indian tax authorities. The Digi Yatra app follows the Self-Sovereign Identity…

— MoCA_GoI (@MoCA_GoI) December 30, 2024