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As reported earlier, the Indian government has planned to make <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/You-may-soon-avail-government-services-just-sitting-at-home-Heres-how/articleshow/53447749.cms">Aadhaar-enabled smartphones</a>, with which users would be able to self-authenticate and let businesses and banks verify the identity of their clients. This would also help in the government’s aim of a cashless society. 
 While applauding this plan Nandan Nikelani, former chairman of <keyword id="6355252" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="UIDAI">UIDAI</keyword> told <a href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/banking/finance/banking/aadhaar-enabled-smartphones-will-ease-money-transfer/articleshow/53625690.cms">ET </a>that, "Iris and fingerprint sensors are now becoming a standard feature in smartphones anyway, and this requirement will only take a minor tweak to the operating system. Once enabled, people will be able to use phones to do self-authentication and KYC (know your customer)." 
 
In July, senior executives of UIDAI and smartphone companies met to discuss ways to allow smartphones let citizens authenticate their fingerprints and iris on the phone, so that they could avail government services from the comfort of their homes. 
 
The most immediate use for these smartphones would be the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), a new payment system which would allow money transfer between any two parties by simply using their mobile phones and a virtual payment address. 
 
"The two-factor authentication in UPI is now being done with mobile phone as one factor, and MPIN as the second factor. But once you have Aadhaar authentication on the phone, then the second factor can be biometric authentication through Aadhaar," said Nilekani. 
 
With time, Aadhaar authentication will also be made open to third party apps, said another person familiar with the ongoing discussions on the condition of anonymity. 
 
This would let users allow apps to access their biometric and iris scans, just like they grant access to other features like camera, contacts, SMS etc. However, from their end, handset makers have raised security concerns about using iris scan for Aadhar authentication. 
 
"The primary challenge lies in safe storing of the iris scan between the time it is captured by the camera and then sent to UIDAI server seeking authentication," said an industry insider. 
 For this, the he proposal includes a "hardware secure zone" which would encrypt <keyword id="441301" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="biometric-data">biometric data</keyword> before sending it out. However, even this isn’t a foolproof idea. 
 
"Unfortunately, from the biometric sensor the data goes to the hardware secure zone via the operating system. Therefore, the biometric data can be intercepted by the operating system before it is sent to the hardware secure zone," said Sunil Abraham, executive director at Bengaluru-based research organisation, the Centre for Internet and Society. 
 
To this, Nilekani said, "the reluctance to make changes at the vendor level is mainly coming from a desire for control of biometric data for strategic and commercial purposes. Privacy and security are bogus reasons." He added that both ends, the handset and the Aadhaar database, will be using the highest level of encryption. 
 
<a href="http://www.aadhaarnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Aadhar-DBT-780x445.jpg">Image source</a>

And now, Aadhaar-enabled smartphones for easy verification and money transfer

What if we say you won’t have to go to ant government office for getting your work done? Yes, this is going to turn into reality soon as <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=UIDAI&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Unique Identification Authority of India</a> (UIDAI) is planning to get smartphones <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=aadhar&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Aadhar</a> enabled. 
 
A meeting was conducted during which UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey and senior executives of smartphone-makers such as <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Apple&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Apple</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=samsung&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Samsung</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=google&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Google</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=microsoft&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Microsoft</a> and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=micromax&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Micromax</a>, and product software think tank iSPIRT, discussed various ways to make this idea possible. 
 
“Nearly 104 crore Indians have Aadhaar and almost 40 crore have smartphones. Every agency requires authentication via Aadhaar. If people don't need to go to any office to authenticate their identity and get government services, and if they are able to do so through their mobile phones, this can be the big gamechanger," Pandey told ET. 
 
He said the response from handset makers was positive and if it sees light of the day, it will change the way people use government services. 
 
So, how will it happen? The chips of Aadhaar-enabled smartphones will be encrypted with a UIDAI key and the handsets will be linked to the Aadhaar server. The key is a security feature to prevent information leakage. The server connection will allow instant fingerprint and iris authentication. Some high-end smartphones already have fingerprint and iris recognition technology embedded in their operating system. The technology bar for putting these features in smartphones is not high - most smartphones can be equipped similarly. 
 Meanwhile, a <keyword id="10591" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Samsung">Samsung</keyword> India spokesperson told ET it is the only mobilephone-maker to have already embedded Aadhaar-friendly technology in one of its handsets. 
 
"Galaxy Tab Iris will support government benefit programmes and enable banks and financial institutions to streamline the process of an individual's authentication, regardless of language and literacy barriers,” the spokesperson told ET. 
 
However, one of the queries raised was sending fingerprint and iris data over unsecure networks, which also has privacy issues. 
Pandey said the solution was a "registered device". 
 
He also said UIDAI can address other concerns about privacy since the authority has ensured full privacy and security of personal biometric information of 104 crore citizens. He said laptops used for capturing biometric information have an Aadhaar key that encrypts the information, and there has been no leakage of information.

You may soon avail government services just sitting at home. Here’s how

In a bid to make poor and illiterate in the rural areas adopt to <keyword id="6358577" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Digital-Payments">digital payments</keyword>, the government is now giving <keyword id="6693683" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aadhaar-Pay">Aadhaar Pay</keyword> a push as it will ensure financial transactions by just using fingerprint. 
 
Aadhaar Pay is a merchant version of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Aadhaar-enabled+payment+system&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Aadhaar-enabled payment system</a> (AEPS) and the government hopes that it will be an alternative for all online and card transactions which require password and PIN. It will facilitate merchants to take <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=cashless+payments&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">cashless payments</a> from a customer as it will only require Aadhaar number, name of the bank (from where the money is to be deducted) and finger print for authentication. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Unique+Identification+Authority+of+India&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Unique Identification Authority of India</a> (UIDAI) CEO AB Pandey said Aadhaar Pay works on any android-based phone, even a low cost one, with an attached finger biometric device. 
 
"This ensures digital transactions which are cardless, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=PINless&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">PINless</a>... There is no need of smartphone for the customers,” he told ET. 
 
In a move to make Aadhaar Pay popular, the government has asked banks to enrol 30-40 merchants per branch so that they are able to take cashless payments from customers. 
 
At present five banks - <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Andhra+Bank&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Andhra Bank</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=IDFC+Bank&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">IDFC Bank</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=IndusInd+Bank&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">IndusInd Bank</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=State+Bank+of+India&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">State Bank of India</a> and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Syndicate+Bank&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Syndicate Bank</a> - have gone live over Aadhaar Pay and several banks are in the process of launching pilots on the app.

Fingerprint-enabled Aadhaar Pay may soon become a reality in rural areas

If things go all planned, you can get your <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/This-top-executive-from-Ola-has-released-a-striking-app-which-tells-you-how-good-or-bad-the-roads-are/articleshow/53924926.cms">Aadhaar</a> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/This-top-executive-from-Ola-has-released-a-striking-app-which-tells-you-how-good-or-bad-the-roads-are/articleshow/53924926.cms">authenticated</a> through phones. According to reports, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/This-top-executive-from-Ola-has-released-a-striking-app-which-tells-you-how-good-or-bad-the-roads-are/articleshow/53924926.cms">Micromax</a>, <keyword id="6366627" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Intex">Intex</keyword>, Lava and Reliance Retail's <keyword id="3102415" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="LYF">Lyf</keyword> will soon be coming with Aadhaar-ready phones. The phone makers have initiated discussions with <keyword id="3558090" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="delta-id-inc">Delta ID Inc</keyword> for the same. However, <keyword id="6354427" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Apple">Apple</keyword> and <keyword id="6355629" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Google">Google</keyword> aren’t much interested in this as they believe; making phones Aadhaar ready might be a threat to personal privacy. The iris-reading technology would let users authenticate their biometrics just by looking at phone having a special IRIS camera and LeD. <keyword id="6383835" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delta">Delta</keyword> ID is a specialized maker of ActiveIRIS technology and have passed <keyword id="3205447" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="STQC">STQC</keyword> performance test for Aadhaar authentication. 
 "We are having discussions with Reliance, Intex, Lava and Micromax. We believe Chinese brands like <keyword id="1188106" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gionee">Gionee</keyword>, Vivo and Oppo would also be interested in such an IRiS-based software for Aadhaar-based authentication," <keyword id="3558093" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="salil-prabhakar">Salil Prabhakar</keyword>, chief executive of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/This-top-executive-from-Ola-has-released-a-striking-app-which-tells-you-how-good-or-bad-the-roads-are/articleshow/53924926.cms">Delta ID</a> told the <keyword id="6474066" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-times">Economic Times</keyword>. 
 
"There is huge interest across the board for it. With Aadhaar <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/This-top-executive-from-Ola-has-released-a-striking-app-which-tells-you-how-good-or-bad-the-roads-are/articleshow/53924926.cms">enrolment </a>in India crossing 105 crore, the potential is immense." 
 
The technology would enable a user to authenticate his Aadhaar details by looking at a phone having a special IRIS camera and LeD. "ActiveIRIS is a powerful biometric identifier and this can be a game-changing feature in phones helping establish the identity of a person. At Intex, we are in talks with UIDAI and are evaluating the same," Intex Director <keyword id="366460" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Keshav-Bansal">Keshav Bansal</keyword> told the financial daily. 
 There are a few other companies which can assemble and market iris scanners in India, which includes US-based <keyword id="3659396" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="iritech">IriTech</keyword>, and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/This-top-executive-from-Ola-has-released-a-striking-app-which-tells-you-how-good-or-bad-the-roads-are/articleshow/53924926.cms">Gujarat</a>-based <keyword id="3183678" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Biomatiques-Identification-Solutions">Biomatiques Identification Solutions</keyword>. 
 "We are working with <keyword id="1660257" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="InFocus">InFocus</keyword> on a smartphone platform and will be launching it soon," <keyword id="3659393" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="prabhu-sridharan">Prabhu Sridharan</keyword>, the executive vice-president at IriTech, told ET.

​ Micromax, Intex, Lava may be launching phones that will help authentication of Aadhaar

<keyword id="1033493" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fingerprint-scanners" source="Orion">Fingerprint scanners</keyword> are important for biometric authentication and attendance verification in offices. These are also widely used for UIDAI services like Aadhaar enrollment. The <keyword id="12386238" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="best-fingerprint-scanners" source="Orion">best fingerprint scanners</keyword> are fast, accurate, resistant to scratches and impact and are equipped to detect fingerprints that are dry, moist or even those that are smudged. Here’s a list of the best fingerprint scanners. <bulletContentEmbed name="B00YJBG5JQ" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B00YJBG5JQ_head"><div type="image" title="Recommended" msid="87260135" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B00YJBG5JQ</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B00YJBG5JQ_body"><bulletContentRow name="B00YJBG5JQ_1147130411216055"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Futronic USB 2.0 Fingerprint Scanner</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The Futronic fingerprint scanner is claimed to capture an almost undistorted raw fingerprint image. It’s also designed to work with any fingerprint application. The finger scanning window on this scanner is made of crown glass that has a thickness of 14mm. It uses infrared LEDs to indicate scanning and the light intensity is adjusted according to the fingerprint’s characteristics such as wet, dry or blurred.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B00YJBG5JQ_7018614666652941"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This Futronic fingerprint scanner is also said to be more reliable and robust as compared to semiconductor <keyword id="2424642" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fingerprint-sensors" source="Orion">fingerprint sensors</keyword>.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="B07KM9LH13" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B07KM9LH13_head"><div type="image" title="Multifunctional" msid="87260167" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B07KM9LH13</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B07KM9LH13_body"><bulletContentRow name="B07KM9LH13_3011776687981788"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Mantra MFS100 Biometric Fingerprint Scanner</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The Mantra MFS100 Biometric fingerprint scanner comes with an optical sensor that is said to be scratch-free. The sensor is also said to be resistant to scratches, impact, vibration and electrostatic shock. It is UIDAI certified, and the sensor surface is said to have the Lowest False Rejection Rate (FRR) and False Acceptance Rate (FAR).</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B07KM9LH13_0531944698342455"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This fingerprint scanner can be used for authentication, identification and verification.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="B08F5GMSW3" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B08F5GMSW3_head"><div type="image" title="User friendly" msid="87260185" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B08F5GMSW3</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B08F5GMSW3_body"><bulletContentRow name="B08F5GMSW3_6584766357090887"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Time Office Startek FM220U Fingerprint Scanner</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The Time Office Startek fingerprint scanner features a USB Type-C port so you can connect it to smartphones and use it with the AadhaarPAY smartphone app. It is also designed to verify smeared, scarred, stained and even smudged fingers. This fingerprint scanner is also Aadhaar enabled and STQC certified so you can use it with many Aadhaar government projects.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B08F5GMSW3_3739961807121776"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">It’s also easy to configure and operate and is said to allow fast scanning with non-distorted image quality.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="B07K2F37PK" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B07K2F37PK_head"><div type="image" title="Budget friendly" msid="87260205" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B07K2F37PK</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B07K2F37PK_body"><bulletContentRow name="B07K2F37PK_5768357304356462"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Startek FM220 Fingerprint Scanner</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">This fingerprint scanner is also UIDAI certified so it can be used for Aadhaar authentication. It is said to offer a fast scanning speed, and non-distorted image quality. The Startek FM220 fingerprint scanner is also said to easily detect fingerprints that are smeared, scarred, stained or smudged.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B07K2F37PK_4631237848254800"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">In addition to Aadhaar, it can be used for Apna CSC, NDLM, DigiLocker, and Jeevan Pramaan.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="B01N6NNSMX" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B01N6NNSMX_head"><div type="image" title="Also consider" msid="87260221" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B01N6NNSMX</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B01N6NNSMX_body"><bulletContentRow name="B01N6NNSMX_8173395248564479"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">SecuGen Hamster Pro 20 Biometric FingerPrint Scanner</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The Hamster Pro 20 biometric fingerprint scanner from SecuGen has a lightweight design as it weighs only 80 grams. It is an optical USB fingerprint sensor with 500 DPI resolution. The fingerprint scanner has an auto-on feature that automatically detects the finger when it’s placed on the reader. It is also equipped to detect difficult-to-scan fingers like those that are dry, moist, aged or scarred.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B01N6NNSMX_9738790153978491"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The glass plate on the fingerprint scanner is resistant to scratches, impact, corrosion, and electrostatic shock.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed> <bulletContentEmbed name="B07VCYC1RD" columns="1"><bulletContentHeading name="B07VCYC1RD_head"><div type="image" title="Also consider" msid="87260292" hostid="261"></div></columnHeadThumb>B07VCYC1RD</columnHeadTitle></columnHead></bulletContentHeading><bulleteContentBody name="B07VCYC1RD_body"><bulletContentRow name="B07VCYC1RD_8681187223213582"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1">Radium Box Syncbyte Microconn MC01 Fingerprint Scanner</bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The Radium Box Syncbyte Microconn MC01 fingerprint scanner is a CMOS-based optical reader. It is said to capture images and verify fingerprints with high speed. It can be used for enrollment and attendance verification applications as a standalone or embedded device.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow><bulletContentRow name="B07VCYC1RD_7657568665181998"><bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowHead col="1"></bulletContentRowHead></bulletContentRowHeading><bulletContentRowBody><bulletContentRowCell col="1">The fingerprint scanner also comes with RD Service registration for one year so it can be used for UIDAI services.</bulletContentRowCell></bulletContentRowBody></bulletContentRow></bulleteContentBody></bulletContentEmbed>

Best fingerprint scanners in India

The Chief Ministers' panel on digital payments has asked government to roll out from December 25 a more user friendly version of USSD or *99#, which is used on feature mobile phones for making cashless payments as cash crunch due to demonetisation continues, as per an agency news report. 
 
"Upgraded version of USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) should be rolled out by December 25, 2016," suggested the panel on adoption of digital payments in its recommendation submitted to the Finance Ministry. 
 
According to an official statement today, the panel, whose convener is Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, has suggested that the procedure for simplified Know Your Customer (KYC) using Aadhaar needs to be adopted. 
 
The second meeting of the committee was held on Friday at NITI Aayog. 
 
The meeting followed the deliberations held by Naidu, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog Arvind Panagariya with the Governor and senior management of RBI and CMDs of major private and public sector banks on Thursday in Mumbai. 
 
The Maharashtra government informed the meeting that it was introducing an Aadhaar Bill in the legislative assembly to give legal status to the use of Aadhaar number for various purposes. 
 
It also informed that it had launched a major campaign to promote digital transactions. 
 
Madhya Pradesh reported that it had initiated a major programme to digitise the transactions in state-owned mundies. 
 
Odisha pointed out that the state was deficient in financial infrastructure including bank branches, bank correspondent, Internpenetration and mobile phones. 
 
While noting that RBI and banks are largely supportive of the measures to promote digital transactions, the panel suggested steps including easing the digital payment operations at the level of merchant. 
 
It said that UIDAI would shortly roll out the common Android-based Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS) application developed in collaboration with TCS that can be downloaded by the merchants. 
 
In order to use this application for carrying out cashless transactions, merchants will need a smartphone and a fingerprint scanner. 
 
Transactions on this application can be done without any card or PIN. The application would be made available to all banks and the banks would encourage merchants in their vicinity to adopt this application, it said. 
 
The panel suggested that RBI should allow authentication through iris scanner and One Time Password (OTP) for AEPS and there should be no charge on AEPS transactions.

​ Chief Ministers' panel demands more user friendly version of cashless transactions

In a push to make India go digital, the Indian Government has now asked local handset makers to come up with smartphones costing less than Rs 2,000 that can enable financial transactions. The government has finally realised that cashless economy won’t be a success unless affordable devices are made available for people living in rural areas. 
 Reportedly, the government, in a meeting recently held by <keyword id="2665691" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Niti-Aayog">Niti Aayog</keyword>, has asked Indian handset makers including <keyword id="71696" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Micromax">Micromax</keyword>, <keyword id="6366627" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Intex">Intex</keyword>, <keyword id="6355189" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="lava">Lava</keyword> and <keyword id="145729" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Karbonn">Karbonn</keyword> to build low-cost phones that can take digital transactions to the masses. 
 However, Chinese players haven't been approached for this project while larger multinationals such as <keyword id="10591" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Samsung">Samsung</keyword> and <keyword id="6354427" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Apple">Apple</keyword> didn't attend. 
 
"The government has begun enabling digital transactions, which are growing exponentially now, but they realize that there aren't that many low-cost smartphones in the market," a senior industry executives aware of the meeting told ET, asking not to be named. 
 
Reportedly, the government is pushing handset companies to pump in 20-25 million handsets into the market, but has ruled out government subsidy. Instead, it is asking companies to come up with solutions to bring down the cost of the phone, which has capabilities to allow financial transactions. 
 
"The government's aim is to allow financial transactions from anywhere, devices which should also have the ability of scanning for Aadhaar-based financial transactions in the future," another industry executive told ET. 
 
Industry insiders though said key challenges will have to be addressed first for the project to get off the ground. Foremost, keeping the cost of the phone low while adding features like finger print scanner, high-quality processors and ensuring adequate build quality. 
 
At present, 3G smartphones are available at starting prices of around Rs 2,500, while first 4G phones start at higher prices. Affordability and use cases are two big factors behind feature phone users being averse to switching to smartphones in the rural areas. 
 
The government has set the agenda for pushing cashless transactions after it demonetised old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes in November.

Government is now asking home-bred handset makers to launch smartphones in Rs 2,000 category

As smartphone brands aim to expand their retail footprint in <keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>, <keyword id="6485927" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="realme">realme</keyword> said on Tuesday that it is investing heavily in its exclusive showrooms, as a brand, to enhance its tech lifestyle imagery to fuel technology adoption even in rural parts of the country, where <keyword id="10525410" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="real-growth">real growth</keyword> is happening. The company is set to open its first flagship store in <keyword id="6354766" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gujarat">Gujarat</keyword> that will be a grand 10,000 square feet of space. "The store will showcase all of its products, including televisions, audio equipment, and wearables, in addition to smartphones. At this 360 TechLife flagship store, customers will be able to live a smart, connected life by using smart devices and gadgets," <keyword id="6530659" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="madhav-sheth">Madhav Sheth</keyword>, VP, realme and CEO, realme India and Europe, told IANS. Apart from the online segment where realme captured the third spot in India in 2020 with 19 per cent share, the company's mainline segment is also gradually growing. "Since 2020, realme always makes sure that offline inventory in mainline stores is aligned with online channels during product launches," Sheth said. "Mainline expansion is always significant to realme and we will be launching 300-500 realme smart stores nationwide and a few flagship stores, enabling more users to experience <keyword id="6924326" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="realme-smartphones">realme smartphones</keyword> and AIoT products," he informed. According to Counterpoint, realme remained the top smartphone brand on Flipkart in 2020, registering a growth of 27 per cent (on-year). Sheth said that expanding deeper into Indian territories through mainline channels is critical to the growth as the leading tech-lifestyle brand. "realme's mainline expansion is always important, so we're expanding our distribution channels in India, particularly in Tier 4 and Tier 5 cities, to include more mobile stores so that users can easily access realme products," he mentioned. Instead of delivering high margins at the expense of product and user experience, said the company, the mainline approach would place a greater emphasis on relationship building and connections with more distributors and dealers around the country. "Despite the fact that we are not as well-known in mainline markets, we believe realme has the best mainline channel relationships of any brand," Sheth said. This year, realme will concentrate on 5G as a key growth driver. "To achieve this, we will offer 5G-enabled smartphones at a lower price point, allowing users to experience the latest processor with vastly improved power management, display optimisation, camera support, gaming performance, and other features while also preparing consumers for the future of 5G," the realme executive elaborated. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/new-realme-stores-in-india-and-ceo-says-there-is-plan-for-new-devices/articleshow/80443801.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Realme plans to open 500 new stores in 2021⁠— the CEO reveals the company will go beyond smartphones in the 5G era</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/nazara-technologies-sees-a-blockbuster-listing-shares-list-at-80-premium-within-minutes-of-trading/articleshow/81753300.cms">Nazara Technologies sees a blockbuster listing – shares list at 80% premium within minutes of trading</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/pan-aadhaar-linking-deadline-how-to-link-pan-with-aadhaar-online/articleshow/81753402.cms">Here’s how to link your PAN with Aadhaar online before the deadline</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/the-ripple-effect-of-archegos-capitals-collapse-may-cost-global-banks-6-billion/articleshow/81754362.cms">SIMPLY PUT: The ripple effect of Archegos Capital's collapse may cost global banks $6 billion</a>

Realme to expand retail footprint in India with flagship stores across the country

More than one in two Indian consumers who use instant loan apps are facing very high interest charges, extortion and <keyword id="6355729" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="data" source="Orion">data</keyword> misuse, as the Reserve Bank of India (<keyword id="30067" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="rbi" source="Orion">RBI</keyword>) takes a tough stand against unregistered digital loan lending apps, a new report showed on Tuesday. While 58 per cent of citizens said when they or someone in their family/ household staff took a loan using instant loan apps in the past two years, they were charged annual interest of over 25 per cent. Over 54 per cent of citizens surveyed experienced extortion or data misuse during the collection process, according to the report by community social media platform LocalCircles. The platform on Tuesday wrote to the RBI Governor <keyword id="6359111" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="shaktikanta-das" source="Orion">Shaktikanta Das</keyword> and IT Minister <keyword id="7787429" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="ashwini-vaishnav" source="Orion">Ashwini Vaishnav</keyword>, requesting them to take cognizance of the survey findings and take further action on such instant loan apps. According to MeitY, it has blocked 27 such fraudulent instant loan apps. The RBI has also disallowed non-bank prepaid payment instruments (PPIs) from loading credit. "The PPI-MD (PPI-master direction) does not permit loading of PPIs from credit lines. Such practice, if followed, should be stopped immediately. Any non-compliance in this regard may attract penal action under provisions contained in the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007," according to the latest RBI directive. The Maharashtra police cyber crime team recently wrote to Google Play Store, asking to remove 69 loan apps after receiving hundreds of complaints of harassment and threats made by fraudulent loan recovery agents to customers. India has witnessed an emergence of instant loan providers through smartphone-enabled fintech lending companies to help people meet shortages of funds. Some instant loan apps, according to consumers, charge as much as a 500 per cent interest rate and use extortion methods to collect money from borrowers or loan defaulters, according to LocalCircles. "Some citizens also claim to be getting phone calls for repayment of loans taken over a year ago, even though they have paid the amount taken or more," the report mentioned. On the other hand, there are many reports of borrowers' personal information, including <keyword id="144117" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="aadhaar" source="Orion">Aadhaar</keyword> card, PAN card, etc. being shared with third-party platforms. "People have also reported in a few cases, how their parents in a different location received messages about the loan payment which they had already made some time back," the report noted. SEE ALSO : <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/indias-biggest-companies-spend-nearly-11-lakh-crore-on-employee-expense-last-year/articleshow/92690317.cms">If you thought techies got the biggest hikes last year, think again...</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/big-tech-should-obey-the-law-of-the-land-says-india-after-twitter-goes-to-court/articleshow/92689452.cms">Big Tech should obey the law of the land says India, after Twitter goes to court</a>

One in two Indians face extortion and data misuse thanks to instant loan apps

<keyword id="10399714" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Co-WIN" source="Orion">Co-WIN</keyword> has developed a new <keyword id="89002" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="API" source="Orion">API</keyword> called 'Know Your Customer's/Client's Vaccination Status', or <keyword id="12066828" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kyc-vs" source="Orion">KYC-VS</keyword>, which will enable a verifying entity to know whether a person has been vaccinated against coronavirus or not, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday. Over 72 crore vaccine doses have been administered since the vaccination campaign against <keyword id="8763838" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19" source="Orion">COVID-19</keyword> was flagged off on January 16 this year in the country. To provide proof of vaccination for each of these individuals, Co-WIN is already issuing a digitally verifiable certificate. This certificate can be saved on a digital device (smartphone, tablet, laptop etc), or stored in Digi Locker from where it can be digitally shared as and when required as proof of vaccination, the ministry said in a statement. Similarly, at entry points where such certificate is required (e.g., in malls, office complexes, public events etc), it may be shown in both digital and physical forms. However, there may be instances where an entity does not need to see the certificate in full and would just need to know whether an individual has been vaccinated or not, the ministry said. An enterprise/employer may like to know the vaccination status of its employees to resume functions in offices, workplaces etc, it added. The Railways may want to get the status of vaccination of the passengers who are getting their seats reserved in the trains. Airlines may want to get the status of vaccination of the passengers who are booking their flight tickets, and/or airports may only want to allow vaccinated passengers to pass through. Hotels may want to know the vaccination status of the residents at the time they are checking into the hotel, or at the time of making online bookings, it further said. "As the socio-economic activities are being gradually revived while maintaining everyone's safety, there is a need for a way to digitally convey the status of individuals' vaccination to entities with whom they may be engaging with for any or all reasons, as employees, passengers, residents etc. "Therefore, there is a need to enable an Aadhaar like authentication service for the status of vaccination through Co-WIN. To take care of these cases and others that may come up, Co-WIN has developed a new API called 'Know Your Customer's/Client's Vaccination Status' or KYC-VS," the ministry said in the statement. To use this API, an individual needs to enter his/her mobile number and name. Thereafter, they will get an OTP which they have to enter. In return, Co-WIN will send a response to the verifying entity on the individual's status of vaccination, which will be as follows: -- Person is not vaccinated -- Person is partially vaccinated -- Person is fully vaccinated This response will be digitally signed and can be shared instantly with the verifying entity, the ministry said. The KYC-VS is consent-based and privacy preserving, it added. Additionally, in order to facilitate quick integration and faster adoption, the Co-WIN Team has prepared a webpage with the API, which may be embedded in any system. This will allow for a seamless integration with any system in no time, the statement said. Besides the use cases pointed out, this service may be utilised by any service provider, private or public, for whom verifying an individual's vaccination status is critical for facilitating a service requested, it said. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/bitcoin-is-now-legal-in-ukraine-but-not-like-it-is-in-el-salvador/articleshow/86091955.cms">Bitcoin is one signature away from becoming legal in Ukraine and it's not following in El Salvador's footsteps</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/electric-vehicles-registration-are-more-than-cng-vehicles-in-last-two-months-in-delhi/articleshow/86089688.cms">EV adoption on a rise in Delhi — more registrations than CNG-run vehicles in last two months</a>

You Searched For "Aadhaar enabled smartphones" and got 10 results

And now, Aadhaar-enabled smartphones for easy verification and money transfer

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Chief Ministers' panel demands more user friendly version of cashless transactions

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Government is now asking home-bred handset makers to launch smartphones in Rs 2,000 category

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One in two Indians face extortion and data misuse thanks to instant loan apps

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Buying Guides

You Searched For "Aadhaar enabled smartphones" and got 10 results

And now, Aadhaar-enabled smartphones for easy verification and money transfer

BI India Bureau

You may soon avail government services just sitting at home. Here’s how

BI India Bureau

Fingerprint-enabled Aadhaar Pay may soon become a reality in rural areas

BI India Bureau

​ Micromax, Intex, Lava may be launching phones that will help authentication of Aadhaar

BI India Bureau

Best fingerprint scanners in India

BI India Tech Bureau

​ Chief Ministers' panel demands more user friendly version of cashless transactions

BI India Bureau

Government is now asking home-bred handset makers to launch smartphones in Rs 2,000 category

BI India Bureau

Realme to expand retail footprint in India with flagship stores across the country

IANS

One in two Indians face extortion and data misuse thanks to instant loan apps

IANS

CoWIN develops a new API to track vaccination status of individuals

PTI

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides

Micromax, Intex, Lava may be launching phones that will help authentication of Aadhaar

Chief Ministers' panel demands more user friendly version of cashless transactions