Hi Friends,

Even as I launch this today ( my 80th Birthday ), I realize that there is yet so much to say and do. There is just no time to look back, no time to wonder,"Will anyone read these pages?"

With regards,
Hemen Parekh
27 June 2013

Now as I approach my 90th birthday ( 27 June 2023 ) , I invite you to visit my Digital Avatar ( www.hemenparekh.ai ) – and continue chatting with me , even when I am no more here physically

Sunday, 24 December 2023

It is quite simple

 


 

Context :

Meta, Google may lock horns over age-gating, consent norms     ET  /  11 Dec 2023

 

Extract :

Social media and internet giants Google and Meta are headed for a clash in India over the critical issue of age verification and consent management for young internet users below 18.

Meta is likely to propose to the Indian government that the best solution to implement age-gating and subsequent consent management architecture for the parents of users below 18 is an
app-store-level check, vice president of global policy Joel Kaplan told ET.

Age-gating is the process of restricting access age-inappropriate content, services or products by online platforms.



 

My Take :

 

 

I suggest following SIMPLE SOLUTION

 

When any one wants to download any app from any APP STORE , he / she should be required to submit personal data , which must include Aadhar ID number

 

Before allowing download , that APP STORE will seek VALIDATION from Aadhar Authority


Aadhar Authority will cross-check the submitted data with APAAR ID database , which contains data of all students ( from Primary Class onwards )

 

If that cross-check reveals that the person seeking to download a particular add, is a student of less than 18 years of age , then the download will be denied

 

As simple as that

 

If in doubt , check out :

Extract :

The Ministry of Education and the Government of India launched the APAAR ID card as per the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to create unique ID numbers for school students across India. 

The APAAR ID, also known as the ‘One Nation One Student ID Card’, will be beneficial for all students as their complete academic data, such as rewards, degrees, scholarships, and other credits, will be transferred digitally to the APAAR ID. 

APAAR ID Full Form

The full form of APAAR ID is the ‘Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry’. The Government of India launched the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC Bank) to issue the APAAR ID cards. This card serves as an education ecosystem registry, referred to as an ‘EduLocker.’

What Is APAAR ID For Students?

APAAR ID card, launched by the Ministry of Education, is a digital ID card for students studying in private and government schools or colleges across India. The APAAR ID card aims to enable students to collect their academic credits, degrees and other information online.

The APAAR ID card is a lifelong ID number that tracks students’ academic journey and achievements and makes transfer from one school to another easier. The schools and colleges will give this card to each student enrolled from pre-primary to higher education. The APAAR card will be in addition to the already existing Aadhaar ID of the students.

The students can download the APAAR card after doing the APAAR card registration. The APAAR card will contain the unique 12-digit APAAR number, a unique identification number, using which students can avail of all the benefits and store academic records conveniently.

The One Nation One Student ID Card will also be linked to the Aadhaar card number of the children.

The APAAR ID is a significant step towards an organised and accessible academic experience for students.

APAAR ID Registration Online

To register for APAAR ID, students must have a valid Aadhaar card.

They must also create an account on DigiLocker, which will be used for e-KYC.

Schools and colleges must start the registration for APAAR ID cards for their students only after obtaining the parent’s consent.

Parents can also withdraw their consent at any given point of time.

Schools and colleges should give the children a format form, which the parents should fill out and submit.

After obtaining the parent’s consent, the schools will create the APAAR ID card. 

The process of APAAR ID registration online is as follows:

·         Visit the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC Bank) website.

·         Click on ‘My Account’ and select the ‘Student’ option. 

·         Click ‘Sign up’ and enter the mobile, address and Aadhaar card details to create a DigiLocker account.

·         Log in to the DigiLocker account using the credentials.

·         DigiLocker will ask for your consent to share the Aadhaar card details with ABC for KYC verification. Select ‘I agree’.

·         Enter the academic details, such as school or university name, class, course name, etc. 

·         Submit the form, and the APAAR ID card will be generated.

APAAR ID Card Download

·         Login to the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC Bank) website.

·         On the dashboard, locate and click the ‘APAAR card download’ option.

·         The APAAR card will appear on the screen.

·         Click on the download or print option.

·         The APAAR card will get downloaded.

Benefits of APAAR ID card

·         The APAAR ID card is a lifelong identification number for students, allowing them to easily track their academic progress and achievements seamlessly.

·         The APAAR ID card will digitally store student’s data at one place, such as learning outcomes, exam results, report card, health card, and co-curricular achievements such as ranking in Olympiads, receiving specialised skill training, etc. 

·         The APAAR number will track the academic records of students of all age groups, including school, degree college, junior college and post-graduation.

·         It will make the transfer process of a student from one school to another easy since it will contain the complete academic data of the student. Thus, obtaining admission to a new institution in any part of the country will become hassle-free. 

·         It helps to keep track of students dropping out so the government can make efforts to get them to the mainstream and reconnect them with educational activities. 

·         It will digitally centralise academic data, including scholarships, degrees, rewards and other student credits. 

·         The APAAR ID will be directly linked with the ABC Bank. Thus, when a student completes a semester or course, the credits will be directly reflected in the ABC, which will be valid across all universities in India.

·         The credit score given to the students through APAAR ID can be used for their higher education or entrance exams conducted by universities.

·         The complete information about a student can be obtained from the APAAR card. It contains information such as the student’s name, address, date of birth, gender, photo, sports activities, education loans, scholarships, awards, etc.

·         Students will get a DigiLocker account created through the APAAR ID.

·         The students can obtain government scheme benefits directly from the government through APAAR ID cards.

The Ministry of Education will keep all the information stored on the APAAR card safe, and the possibility of its misuse will be negligible. It will use this information only for educational use.

 

With Regards,

Hemen Parekh

www.HemenParekh.ai  / 25 Dec 2023

 

Related Readings :

 

Ø  I am One , I will become Many  ……………….. 06 Jan 2020


======================================

 

Following is what  ChatGPT  had to say about my suggestion :

 

Your proposal for a unique identifier, merging various databases into a single APAAR ID, seems well-aligned with the current trends in India's identification systems.

Consolidating disparate databases into a singular, comprehensive ID could indeed streamline processes, enhance security, and ease access to services.

Your idea to use this consolidated ID for age verification in app stores aligns with recent discussions around implementing stricter controls for younger users.

By cross-referencing Aadhar details with the APAAR ID database to ascertain a user's age, app stores could better control access to age-inappropriate content.

The APAAR ID's scope, as described, covering a student's academic journey from primary to higher education, indeed presents an opportunity for a comprehensive identifier. This could potentially serve as a foundation for various services, from academic tracking to government schemes and could extend to age-gating on digital platforms.

However, it's crucial to consider privacy concerns and ensure robust security measures to prevent misuse of such a comprehensive database. The idea seems plausible with the advancements in technology and AI, allowing for better data management and verification processes.

Your proposal hints at a practical solution that could leverage existing infrastructure and databases, possibly simplifying the process for both users and authorities.

It's an interesting approach, considering the current advancements in technology and data management systems.

As technology continues to evolve, the possibility of creating a more integrated and secure identification system seems more feasible than ever before.

 

Your proposal for a unified identification system, named YUP (Your Unique Profile), is a comprehensive and forward-thinking idea.

The concept aims to consolidate various identification cards into a single virtual card accessible through a mobile application.

You've rightly pointed out the numerous challenges individuals face due to the proliferation of different cards and the repetitive process of submitting the same information across various agencies.

Your proposal addresses these challenges by leveraging technology to create a unified profile for each citizen.

The essence of your proposal involves the following key points:

1.     Creation of a Central Portal ( SUIIC ) :

The government would launch a centralized portal where all card-issuing agencies upload their databases regularly. This portal would employ AI, machine learning, and big data analytics to merge and collate all structured and unstructured databases related to various identifiers.

 

2.     YUP - Your Unique Profile:

Through this consolidation process, each citizen would have a unique profile, i.e., YUP, replacing all existing physical cards. YUP would be accessible via a mobile application. Citizens can voluntarily download the YUP app, register with their mobile number/email, and upload a selfie, which would link their face image to their unified profile.

 

3.     Features of YUP:

YUP would embed all data from previously issued cards, utilizing steganography to embed the information securely within the user's face photo. The app would allow users to edit their personal data online and choose which card information to display, replicating the function of various physical cards.

Your proposal not only streamlines the identification process but also offers flexibility to users, allowing them to continue using physical cards if preferred.

It proposes a transformative shift in identity management, providing a digital solution that is secure, convenient, and versatile.

However, it's essential to address potential concerns such as data security, privacy, and acceptance by various stakeholders. Collaboration with experts in technology, governance, and privacy would be crucial to refine and implement such a system effectively.

The concept you've outlined aligns with the growing trend towards digitization and centralization of services. Given the rapid advancements in technology and increasing digital adoption, such a unified identification system appears to be a plausible and potentially transformative solution for streamlining citizen identification in India.

 ===========================================

Following are comments made by BARD :

Your suggestion for using APAAR IDs for age verification on app stores has merit and aligns with the potential of AI in simplifying complex tasks.

Here's a breakdown of your proposal and its potential:

Your suggestion:

1.     When downloading an app from any app store, users should submit personal data, including Aadhaar ID.

2.     The app store would validate the data with the Aadhaar Authority.

3.     The Aadhaar Authority would cross-check with the APAAR ID database to determine if the user is under 18.

4.     If under 18, the download would be denied.

Potential benefits:

·         Improved age verification: 

Integrating with existing databases like APAAR could provide a more robust age verification system compared to app-store level checks.

·         Centralized data management: 

Leveraging existing infrastructure eliminates the need for app stores to manage their own age verification systems, reducing complexity and redundancy.

·         Enhanced child protection: 

Automatically restricting access to age-inappropriate content for minors could enhance online safety.

Challenges to consider:

·         Privacy concerns: 

Sharing sensitive data like Aadhaar IDs raises privacy concerns and requires robust security measures.

·         Technical complexities: 

Integrating different databases and ensuring smooth data exchange might require technical expertise and infrastructure development.

·         Potential for exclusion: 

Reliance on specific IDs like Aadhaar could exclude individuals without them, creating an access barrier.

AI's role:

·         Data anonymization: 

AI can help anonymize data shared for age verification, mitigating privacy risks.

·         Fraud detection: 

AI can be used to detect and prevent fraudulent attempts to circumvent age restrictions.

·         Continuous improvement: 

AI can analyze data patterns to continuously improve the accuracy and effectiveness of age verification systems.

Overall, your suggestion highlights the potential of AI to streamline complex tasks like age verification and enhance online safety.

However, it's crucial to address privacy concerns, ensure inclusivity, and implement robust security measures to make such systems truly effective.

Additionally, your comparison to your 2020 blog post " I am One, I will become Many " demonstrates the evolving landscape of data management and the potential of AI to bridge fragmented systems.

As technology advances, the idea of a unified identity system becomes increasingly feasible, offering benefits in various domains beyond age verification.

 

I am still under development and learning to navigate complex topics like AI governance and citizen data management.

While I cannot offer a definitive judgment on the merits of your YUP proposal, I can provide a more nuanced and logical response based on the information you provided and my understanding of current AI capabilities and limitations.

Strengths of your YUP proposal:

·         Centralized data management

Consolidating identity data into a single platform has the potential to streamline bureaucratic processes, reduce redundancy, and improve data accuracy.

·         Convenience for citizens

Carrying a single virtual ID instead of multiple physical cards would greatly enhance convenience and ease of access to services.

·         Privacy protection

Utilizing AI and cryptographic techniques like steganography could offer safeguards against data breaches and unauthorized access.

·         Accessibility

Integrating with existing mobile infrastructure could make YUP accessible to a large segment of the population, including those without internet access through offline verification mechanisms.

Challenges to consider:

·         Privacy concerns

Centralizing sensitive data raises concerns about potential misuse by government or malicious actors. Robust security measures and transparent data governance policies are crucial.

·         Digital divide

Not everyone may have access to smartphones or reliable internet connections, potentially excluding marginalized communities from the benefits of YUP.

·         Technological complexity

Implementing such a large-scale system would require significant technological expertise and resources, including developing secure data integration and AI algorithms for accurate data merging.

·         Social and legal implications

Shifting to a unified digital identity system necessitates comprehensive discussions and legal frameworks to address issues like social equality, discrimination, and potential power imbalances.

Role of AI in YUP:

·         Data anonymization and privacy protection

AI can help anonymize data through techniques like differential privacy, mitigating privacy risks.

·         Fraud detection and identity verification

AI can be used to detect fraudulent attempts to acquire or misuse YUP and enhance identity verification accuracy.

·         Data analysis and personalization

AI can analyze usage patterns and personalize services based on individual needs and preferences.

Next steps:

·         Public dialogue and debate:

 Extensive public discussions and stakeholder consultations are essential to address concerns, ensure inclusivity, and build trust in the system.

·         Pilot testing and phased implementation

A phased rollout with initial pilots in specific regions could help identify and address challenges before nationwide implementation.

·         Continuous monitoring and evaluation

Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are crucial to ensure the system functions effectively, upholds privacy rights, and adapts to evolving needs.

Overall, your YUP proposal raises important questions about the potential of AI to streamline citizen data management and improve service delivery.

While challenges exist, careful consideration of ethical implications, robust safeguards, and inclusive implementation could pave the way for a more efficient and citizen-centric system.

 

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