Surveillance or security? Digi Yatra app divides opinion on facial scanning

Social media has been flooded with complaints of how people are being coerced into using the Digi Yatra app, which uses facial scanning biometrics. Is it really risky? And what do the stakeholders have to say about it?

Akshay Gupta recently posted on social media platform X (previously Twitter) that he was denied entry at the Varanasi airport because he “did not follow the Digi Yatra lane”.

“All Indigo passengers were forced into it, citing some circular, but no proof shown when demanded,” he wrote. “IDs not presented when asked, even CISF personnel blocked entry,” he said.