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The Indian government's proposed child verification system, a key component of the draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, has ignited a debate surrounding privacy and online safety. Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw champions the system, emphasizing its design in consultation with the tech industry and its reliance on India's existing robust digital infrastructure, including Aadhaar and advanced payment systems. He highlights the lack of a universally accepted solution for child verification globally, positioning India's approach as a pioneering attempt to navigate this complex issue. The core of the proposed system lies in the utilization of tokenization, a method of creating digital representations of data without revealing the original information. This technology is already employed in payment gateways to secure credit card information, demonstrating its potential for protecting sensitive personal data.
The proposed system aims to prevent underage individuals from accessing age-restricted online services and social media platforms without parental consent. Currently, most platforms rely on self-declaration, a system easily circumvented. The new rules mandate that all platforms operating in India verify the age of new users using a token that reliably confirms their age or, in the case of minors, the age of their parent or guardian. This token serves as proof of age without exposing the full details of the user's identity document. The minister assures that this token can be deleted once its purpose is served, addressing concerns regarding the potential for long-term data retention.
However, privacy advocates remain apprehensive. They express concerns that the verification process could necessitate every user, regardless of age, to verify their identity before accessing online services. Minister Vaishnaw counters this concern, emphasizing the ability of current technology to perform this verification seamlessly without causing significant disruption to user experience. The tokenization approach is central to this assurance, ensuring that only necessary information is shared, while the complete identity document remains protected. The debate highlights the inherent tension between safeguarding children online and respecting individual privacy in the digital age. The effectiveness and privacy implications of this tokenization system will largely depend on its implementation and the safeguards put in place to prevent misuse or data breaches.
The success of India's proposed system hinges on several critical factors. First, the robustness of the tokenization technology itself is paramount. The system must be secure and resistant to attempts at manipulation or unauthorized access. Second, clear and transparent guidelines for data handling and deletion are crucial to building public trust. Users must understand how their data is used, protected, and ultimately disposed of. Third, effective oversight and enforcement are necessary to ensure compliance among online platforms. Without robust monitoring, the system could become ineffective or susceptible to exploitation. Fourth, ongoing evaluation and adaptation are essential to address emerging challenges and technological advancements. The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and the child verification system must adapt to remain effective and relevant.
Furthermore, international collaboration and best-practice sharing are vital in addressing the global challenge of child safety online. While India's proposed system represents a significant step, a concerted global effort is needed to develop and implement consistent standards for online child protection. This would ensure that children are shielded from harmful content and exploitation across borders, regardless of platform or jurisdiction. The long-term success of the Indian initiative, and similar global efforts, depends on a collaborative approach that prioritizes both safety and privacy. Open dialogue between governments, tech companies, privacy advocates, and other stakeholders is essential to navigating the complex ethical and technological challenges inherent in this area.
Source: Child verification can happen ‘without disruption’ using tokenisation: Vaishnaw