Facial Recognition Software Will Be Used Only For Those IN CCTNS Database, Clarifies Home Ministry

Home Ministry officials on Thursday (11 July) clarified that the proposed Automated Facial Recognition System (AFRS) will only be used in respect of persons figuring in the Crime and Crime Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) database, the Times of India reports. The AFRS would be rolled out by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

“This software will be used only in respect of such persons who figure on the CCTNS database - accused persons, prisoners, missing persons, unidentified found persons including children and unidentified dead persons - and is not going to be used on any other database,” a home ministry official said.

The CCTNS is a national database of crimes and criminals with links to more than 15,000 police stations across India. The official also assured that the database can be accessed only by law enforcement agencies and the piracy of citizens would be secure.