Dissent On Aadhaar: Big Data Meets Big Brother

by Reetika Khera

Aadhaar, India’s unique identity system, was introduced in 2009 with the stated purpose of creating a more inclusive and efficient welfare system. Hundreds of millions of Indians were enrolled into the biometric database, with successive governments creating pressure by making it compulsory for social benefits. Even after the Supreme Court verdict in 2018, it remains a must-have for welfare.

Dissent on Aadhaar argues that Aadhaar was never really about welfare. The essays in this book explain how the project opens the doors to immense opportunities for government surveillance and commercial data-mining.

Focussing on Aadhaar, but drawing lessons from ID projects from other parts of the world also, this book alerts readers to the dangers lurking in such expansive digital ID projects. For example, how profiling, made possible by Aadhaar, impinges on the fundamental Right to Privacy; or how surveillance leads to self-censorship and can choke free thought and expression; or how Aadhaar, contrary to government claims, excludes people entitled by right from welfare when made compulsory. On the technology side, what are the perils of using biometrics and the dangers arising from centralised databases? Who has access to all our data, and how can it be used against us?

With contributions from economists, lawyers, technologists, journalists and civil liberties campaigners, this book is for everyone concerned about a healthy democracy in India and beyond. It will be also be of interest to students and scholars of political science, law and public policy.

Genres: India, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

Published December 18, 2018

Reviews

[Vinayak Hegde · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a technologist, I am all too aware of the limitations of technology. I am also aware that many times technology cannot solve social problems without proper thought/design of the context in which they operate. There also need to be enough safety valves and an avenue for redressal. Aadhaar doesn't follow any of this and UIDAI has a heavy-handed approach to its deficiencies. The book goes into different aspects of the implementation of the Aadhaar project and its failures. Taking a comprehensive approach to understand and critique it from various aspects. The book is written as a series of papers by different authors and is a great primer for someone who wants to understand the shortcoming of Aadhaar. A must-read.

[Rahil Shah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Data is the new oil - This was an Eye-opener!

[Kamalika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched book. Includes technical, legal and social angles to aadhaar. Loved it. Real Eye opener on how aadhaar is being misused, and its future potential in acting as a surveillance tool.

[Nitesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptional work done by Reetika and Team. Must read book for Citizens of India. 👍📕

[Murali Neelakantan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that everyone ought to read. Aadhaar has become a hammer looking for nails. That it was meant to be an ‘identity’ document for those who didn’t have one has been lost. Likewise with the limited use it for which it was intended. From a benefit, it has become a weapon of mass destruction of human rights. The book is a collection of too many instances of this and yet, the country seems to ignore the damage it is doing. This who are zealous advocates of Aadhaar choose to just ignore this damage and those who are hurt by Aadhaar are voiceless and invisible. Aadhaar has hurt and continues to hurt the very people it was meant to save. That’s the tragedy!