Identity India drops plan for cross-industry biometric database but keeps verification August 26, 2026 Share By SC Staff (Adobe Stock) Biometric Update reports that India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has abandoned its proposal for a unified Biometric Identity Verification System (BIVS), a cross-industry biometric database. This decision comes as the country finalizes its "Telecommunications (User Identification) Rules, 2026." The DoT has replaced the BIVS concept with existing e-KYC and D-KYC processes for user verification, as mandated by the Telecommunications Act 2023. While the draft rules had proposed BIVS to assign a unique ID to telecom customers and enable inter-company record checks, civil society groups raised concerns about data collection safeguards. The final rules require telecom operators like Airtel, Jio, Vodafone Idea, and BSNL to verify users through biometric methods before issuing SIM cards, updating records, or disconnecting numbers. Aadhaar holders will use UIDAI's authentication, while non-Aadhaar users will undergo D-KYC, which may include live facial capture, document scans, and potential field visits. Mandatory biometric checks are also required before SIM disconnection. Despite abandoning BIVS, the DoT will use its Digital Intelligence Platform to identify individuals with multiple mobile connections by aggregating subscriber data from all operators starting August 23. The framework aims to balance identity assurance with privacy considerations. Source: Biometric Update SC Staff Related Application security Mobile banking trojans expand capabilities; 66% now allow full device takeover Laura French August 26, 2026 Banking trojans have evolved to include remote control and ransomware capabilities. Privacy TikTok agrees to $400 million settlement over child privacy SC Staff August 24, 2026 The settlement addresses claims that TikTok illegally collected data from users under 13 and knowingly allowed them to create accounts, violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Privacy Developer alleges Alibaba uses audio fingerprinting for web tracking SC Staff August 24, 2026 Software engineer Matt Callaghan discovered that Alibaba's website employed obfuscated audio scripts that generated a waveform and analyzed its output. Related Events Cybercast Building the Future of Trust in the AI Era & AI-First Headless Identity Let’s You Build with AI Wed Sep 2 Cybercast The Future of Identity: Powering Trust in the AI Era & Fireside Chat with LPL Financial Tue Sep 1 Cybercast The identity evolution that enables AI confidence On-Demand Event Get daily email updates SC Media's daily must-read of the most current and pressing daily news Business Email By clicking the Subscribe button below, you agree to SC Media Terms of Use and Privacy Policy . Subscribe Related Terms Basic Authentication Biometrics Certificate-Based Authentication Challenge-Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP) Digest Authentication Digital Certificate Discretionary Access Control (DAC) You can skip this ad in 5 seconds