Fact Check: Is Digi Yatra Data Being Used To Identify Tax Evaders?

New Delhi: A recent media report said that passengers’ data from the Digi Yatra application was being used to crack down on tax evaders.

However, the Central government on Monday dismissed the ‘unfounded’ claims.

“The recent media report concerning Digi Yatra is based on unfounded and inaccurate claims. There is no sharing of Digi Yatra passengers’ data with Indian tax authorities,” the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) posted on X.

A newspaper report, citing sources, claimed that the Income Tax department had access to Digi Yatra app data, which was being reconciled with tax filings to check for discrepancies in the declared income. The report also said that the tax department will start issuing notices to tax evaders in 2025.

Clarifying details of Digi Yatra, the Civil Aviation ministry informed that the app “follows the Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) model, where 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 added.

“Airport systems automatically purge passenger data within 24 hours of the flight’s departure. It is also important to note that Digi Yatra is designed solely for domestic passengers and does not apply to international travellers,” MoCA further stated.

The Income Tax department also denied the report, saying it was banking on Digi Yatra data to target evaders.

The official X handle of Digi Yatra thanked the Income Tax department for “addressing the false claims.”

Digi Yatra uses facial recognition technology to verify identities of passengers at checkpoints such as check-in, security and boarding gates, without the need for physical documents.

Currently, Digi Yatra facility is available in 24 Indian airports, which provide paperless travel experience to airline passengers.

To avail the service, flyers have to register their details on the Digi Yatra app using Aadhaar-based validation and a self-image capture.