Explore the controversial Aadhaar system in India through this thought-provoking colloquium talk by Reetika Khera from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. Delve into the origins, implementation, and implications of India's unique identity system, initially introduced to create a more inclusive and efficient welfare system. Examine how Aadhaar has evolved from its stated purpose to become a potential tool for government surveillance and commercial data-mining. Analyze the impact of biometric databases on privacy rights, the risks of profiling and self-censorship, and the unintended consequences of making Aadhaar compulsory for social benefits. Investigate the technological challenges, including the perils of centralized databases and biometric authentication. Consider the broader implications for democracy, free thought, and expression as the speaker discusses findings from her book "Dissent on Aadhaar: Big Data meets Big Brother." Engage with critical questions about data access, potential misuse, and the balance between technological advancement and individual rights in the digital age. Read more