India’s high court has approved the legality of the world’s first biometric database, saying it does not violate its citizens’ rights to privacy.
The Aadhaar database already has 1 billion people enrolled in it, handing over personal details such as fingerprints and iris scans.
The system was designed to reduce welfare fraud, and if citizens don’t sign up, they can’t receive basic welfare services such as food rations.
It is slowly being expanded to be a vital part of processes such as getting bank accounts, passports and even a mobile number.