Govt shoots down Digi Yatra-tax crackdown report

The central government has dismissed claims suggesting that passenger data from the Digi Yatra application was being used to track down tax evaders. Refuting a recent media report, the Ministry of Civil Aviation stated on X (formerly Twitter), “The recent media report concerning Digi Yatra is based on unfounded and inaccurate claims.”

The ministry further clarified, "There is no sharing of Digi Yatra passengers’ data with Indian tax authorities.”

The rebuttal follows a newspaper article that alleged the Income Tax department was accessing Digi Yatra data to cross-check with tax filings, with plans to issue notices to evaders by 2025.

Highlighting the application’s privacy protocols, the Ministry of Civil Aviation emphasized that Digi Yatra operates on a Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) model. “Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and travel credentials are stored exclusively on the user’s device, not on any central repository. If a user uninstalls the Digi Yatra app, the data is deleted entirely,” the ministry noted.

Additionally, the ministry stated, “Airport systems automatically purge passenger data within 24 hours of the flight’s departure. Digi Yatra is designed solely for domestic passengers and does not apply to international travellers.”

The Income Tax department also issued a denial, asserting it was not using Digi Yatra data to pursue tax evaders. The official X handle of Digi Yatra expressed gratitude to the Income Tax department for “addressing the false claims.”

Digi Yatra, a system leveraging Facial Recognition Technology (FRT), aims to provide passengers with a seamless and contactless experience at airport checkpoints. According to the government, all data shared by passengers is encrypted. Passengers can access the service by registering on the Digi Yatra app with Aadhaar-based validation and a self-captured image. They then scan their boarding pass, and their credentials are shared with the respective airport.

This clarification aims to reassure users about the integrity of the Digi Yatra platform and its adherence to strict privacy norms.