9-acid attack survivors have petitioned the Supreme Court of India, seeking directions to the central government to establish guidelines for an inclusive digital Know Your Customer (KYC) process, accommodating acid attack survivors and individuals with permanent eye damage.
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NEW DELHI: Nine acid attack survivors have approached the Supreme Court of India, urging the establishment of more inclusive digital Know Your Customer (KYC) guidelines. These guidelines aim to address the unique challenges faced by individuals with permanent disfigurements, particularly those affecting the eyes, in accessing essential services like banking and telecommunications.
The survivors, through their petition, have highlighted the “indignity and humiliation” they often endure while navigating various bureaucratic processes. They recounted difficulties in obtaining SIM cards and opening bank accounts independently due to the conventional requirements of digital KYC methods, which do not cater to their physical limitations.
One poignant example cited in the petition involves a survivor who was unable to complete the digital KYC requirement to blink during photo verification, forcing her to register a SIM card under her spouse’s name. This incident underscores the broader issues of accessibility and inclusivity within the current system.
The petitioners have laid out a comprehensive set of proposed directives for the central government and regulatory bodies:
- Formulate new guidelines that provide alternative methods for completing digital KYC, accommodating individuals who cannot meet current photographic requirements.
- Ensure all entities involved in digital KYC adhere to these new guidelines and develop internal policies that support their implementation.
- Modify the definition of “live photograph” in the KYC process to include other forms of verification such as facial movements or voice recognition, beyond the narrow criterion of eye blinking.
- Encourage the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to guide regulated entities to adopt these inclusive practices.
- Implement sensitization programs for entities performing digital KYC to better support acid attack survivors and others with similar challenges.
The plea emphasizes that these changes are crucial for ensuring that acid attack survivors can access necessary services and participate fully in society without discrimination. It calls for a reevaluation of existing protocols to foster a more dignified and equitable approach to identity verification.
This move by the acid attack survivors not only highlights their struggle for equal rights but also pushes for a broader societal change towards inclusivity and respect for all individuals, regardless of physical abilities.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Acid Attack Survivors
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