No. F-12013/44/2011 /RTI-UIDAI
Planning Commission
Unique Identification Authority of India
2nd Floor, Tower-I, Jeevan Bharati Building,
Connaught Circus, New Delhi - 110 001.
Dated: 2 ^September, 2011
To
Ms Sahana Sarkar
No. 194, 2nd 'C' Cross
Domlur 2nd Stage
Bangalore - 560071
Subject: Applications under RTI Act, 2005 .
Please refer to your RTI application dt 30.06.2011 received in this
office on 08.07.2011. In this context, parawise reply is as under:
Question 1: Please provide us all such mathematical algorithms and values
of all such statistical variables which are necessary for
calculating probable errors in the process of de-duplication or
identifying duplicates by the Aadhaar System using biometric
inputs.
Reply : The following definitions for calculation of biometric errors in the
de-duplication system are being used :
"False Positive identification" A team applying to de-
duplication transactios only. An incorrect decision of a biometric
system that an applicant for a UID has previously been enrolled
in the system, when in fact they have not.
"False Positive Identification Rate (FPIR)" A term applying to de-
duplication transactions only. The ratio of number of false
positive identification decisions to the total number of enrolment
transactions by un-enrolled individuals.
"False Negative Identification" A term applying to de-
duplication transactions only. An incorrect decision of a
biometric system that an applicant for a UID, making no
attempt to avoid recognition, has not previously been enrolled
in the system, when in fact they have.
"False Negative Identification Rate (FNIR)" A term applying to de-
duplication transactions only. The ratio of number of false
negative identification decisions to the total number of
enrolment transactions by enrolled individuals.
The above is not an algorithm. It is the definition of terms for a final permitted statistical error that the UIDAI will accept as valid from the vendor. The reply to the next query clarifies this.
Two separate queries were needed one for iris and one for finger prints.
You will also have to ask Is demographic data being used in de duplication. If yes, what data? why is this data being used when one of the uidai objectives was to remove incorrect data widespread in documents which are now used as proof for issue of adhar or in it's abscence not verified at all. (one may point out huge numbers of UINs having the address of a single NGO).
Are all fingerprints of an applicant compared with all fingerprints in the database or only index to index, middle to middle etc. If the latter is true what is the logic for not doing the former.
Question2: Please provide the value of all statistical variables being used for
the purpose of de-duplicaiton, e.g. FPIR, FNIR, FMR, FNMR, etc.
Please note that this request is not limited to the aforesaid
variables, and all variables being used for the purpose of de-
duplication are requested.
Reply : The biometric service providers have to meet the following
accuracy SLA's for FPIR and FNIR.
FPIR<0.1% (of non-duplication enrolments)
FNIR< 1% (of ONLY duplicate enrolments)
Question 3: If the value of the statistical variables being used for the
purpose of de-duplication is going to be changed during the
various phases of implementation, you are requested to provide
the value of these variables for all such phases of
implementation.
Reply :UIDAI has specified SLA for FPIR and FNIR. In addition volume
allocation to each BSP is dependent on FPIR & FNIR. BSPs is
dependent on FPIR & FNIR. BSPs may internally to set best
FPIR & FNIR.
How are they monitoring the above. This is a perfect incentive for vendors to falsify data
Question 4: Please provide the number of new enrollments and the number
of duplicates identified by the Aadhaar project on a monthly
basis (since inception, till date).Please provide this information
broken state-wise and month-wise if such records are available.
Reply: The information on monthly enrolments is provided in the
Aadhar Portal. A total of 2.59 crore enrolments has been
completed as of 17th August, 2011. Enrollments rejected as
residents were duplicates. The number is 2005 (verified as on
17th August 2011). Break up may not be possible as requested.
Question5: Please provide the number of new enrollments and the number
of duplicates identified by the Aadhaar project, state-wise, on a
monthly basis (from inception, till date).
Reply: Information provided in Question No. 4 above.
Question6: If a false positive match is found, what is the established
operating procedure?
a. What will the (operator) do?
b. What will the UIDAI do?
Reply: If a False Negative Identification were to be found the Aadhar
would not be issued for the second enrolment.
The answer does not make sense. The query is about false positives.
Question7: If a false negative match is found, what is the established
operating procedure?
a. What will the (operator) do?
b. What will the UIDAI do?
Reply: Investigation is an ongoing process.
What do they investigate? is there a mechanism for field visits?. do they have human fingerprint matching experts.
Question8: For the number of duplicates identified till date, please provide
the percentage of cases which have been successfully
investigated till date. Please provide the breakup of the
reasons for the duplications (eg. Number of duplicates because
of false positives, number of duplicates because of clerical
errors, number of duplicates due to criminal intent of enrolling
individual etc.)
Reply : Investigation is an ongoing process.
So we can be assured that they are clueless. To test you will have to get about 10% of the people issued UINs and ask them to re register. Then investigate the false accepts. 10% does not mean 10% of 5 people. It means that they will have to get 10s of lakhs of people to re register. No half measures. Feeding already captured data is precisely what you don't want to do.
2. If you are not satisfied with the reply, you may appeal to the Appellate
Authority, UIDAI within 30 days from the receipt of this letter. The address
and contact number of the Appellate Authority is given below:-
Shri Ashok MR Dalwai
DDG & Appellate Authority
Regional Office, UIDAI
Khanija Bhavan, No. 49, 3rd Floor
South Wing, Race Course Road
Bangalore - 01
P h - 080-22341622
Planning Commission
Unique Identification Authority of India
2nd Floor, Tower-I, Jeevan Bharati Building,
Connaught Circus, New Delhi - 110 001.
Dated: 2 ^September, 2011
To
Ms Sahana Sarkar
No. 194, 2nd 'C' Cross
Domlur 2nd Stage
Bangalore - 560071
Subject: Applications under RTI Act, 2005 .
Please refer to your RTI application dt 30.06.2011 received in this
office on 08.07.2011. In this context, parawise reply is as under:
Question 1: Please provide us all such mathematical algorithms and values
of all such statistical variables which are necessary for
calculating probable errors in the process of de-duplication or
identifying duplicates by the Aadhaar System using biometric
inputs.
Reply : The following definitions for calculation of biometric errors in the
de-duplication system are being used :
"False Positive identification" A team applying to de-
duplication transactios only. An incorrect decision of a biometric
system that an applicant for a UID has previously been enrolled
in the system, when in fact they have not.
"False Positive Identification Rate (FPIR)" A term applying to de-
duplication transactions only. The ratio of number of false
positive identification decisions to the total number of enrolment
transactions by un-enrolled individuals.
"False Negative Identification" A term applying to de-
duplication transactions only. An incorrect decision of a
biometric system that an applicant for a UID, making no
attempt to avoid recognition, has not previously been enrolled
in the system, when in fact they have.
"False Negative Identification Rate (FNIR)" A term applying to de-
duplication transactions only. The ratio of number of false
negative identification decisions to the total number of
enrolment transactions by enrolled individuals.
The above is not an algorithm. It is the definition of terms for a final permitted statistical error that the UIDAI will accept as valid from the vendor. The reply to the next query clarifies this.
Two separate queries were needed one for iris and one for finger prints.
You will also have to ask Is demographic data being used in de duplication. If yes, what data? why is this data being used when one of the uidai objectives was to remove incorrect data widespread in documents which are now used as proof for issue of adhar or in it's abscence not verified at all. (one may point out huge numbers of UINs having the address of a single NGO).
Are all fingerprints of an applicant compared with all fingerprints in the database or only index to index, middle to middle etc. If the latter is true what is the logic for not doing the former.
Question2: Please provide the value of all statistical variables being used for
the purpose of de-duplicaiton, e.g. FPIR, FNIR, FMR, FNMR, etc.
Please note that this request is not limited to the aforesaid
variables, and all variables being used for the purpose of de-
duplication are requested.
Reply : The biometric service providers have to meet the following
accuracy SLA's for FPIR and FNIR.
FPIR<0.1% (of non-duplication enrolments)
FNIR< 1% (of ONLY duplicate enrolments)
Question 3: If the value of the statistical variables being used for the
purpose of de-duplication is going to be changed during the
various phases of implementation, you are requested to provide
the value of these variables for all such phases of
implementation.
Reply :UIDAI has specified SLA for FPIR and FNIR. In addition volume
allocation to each BSP is dependent on FPIR & FNIR. BSPs is
dependent on FPIR & FNIR. BSPs may internally to set best
FPIR & FNIR.
How are they monitoring the above. This is a perfect incentive for vendors to falsify data
Question 4: Please provide the number of new enrollments and the number
of duplicates identified by the Aadhaar project on a monthly
basis (since inception, till date).Please provide this information
broken state-wise and month-wise if such records are available.
Reply: The information on monthly enrolments is provided in the
Aadhar Portal. A total of 2.59 crore enrolments has been
completed as of 17th August, 2011. Enrollments rejected as
residents were duplicates. The number is 2005 (verified as on
17th August 2011). Break up may not be possible as requested.
Question5: Please provide the number of new enrollments and the number
of duplicates identified by the Aadhaar project, state-wise, on a
monthly basis (from inception, till date).
Reply: Information provided in Question No. 4 above.
Question6: If a false positive match is found, what is the established
operating procedure?
a. What will the (operator) do?
b. What will the UIDAI do?
Reply: If a False Negative Identification were to be found the Aadhar
would not be issued for the second enrolment.
The answer does not make sense. The query is about false positives.
Question7: If a false negative match is found, what is the established
operating procedure?
a. What will the (operator) do?
b. What will the UIDAI do?
Reply: Investigation is an ongoing process.
What do they investigate? is there a mechanism for field visits?. do they have human fingerprint matching experts.
Question8: For the number of duplicates identified till date, please provide
the percentage of cases which have been successfully
investigated till date. Please provide the breakup of the
reasons for the duplications (eg. Number of duplicates because
of false positives, number of duplicates because of clerical
errors, number of duplicates due to criminal intent of enrolling
individual etc.)
Reply : Investigation is an ongoing process.
So we can be assured that they are clueless. To test you will have to get about 10% of the people issued UINs and ask them to re register. Then investigate the false accepts. 10% does not mean 10% of 5 people. It means that they will have to get 10s of lakhs of people to re register. No half measures. Feeding already captured data is precisely what you don't want to do.
2. If you are not satisfied with the reply, you may appeal to the Appellate
Authority, UIDAI within 30 days from the receipt of this letter. The address
and contact number of the Appellate Authority is given below:-
Shri Ashok MR Dalwai
DDG & Appellate Authority
Regional Office, UIDAI
Khanija Bhavan, No. 49, 3rd Floor
South Wing, Race Course Road
Bangalore - 01
P h - 080-22341622
I still dont make it out...what is wrong and what is right!
ReplyDeleteHow common people understand this! How this matters to common people.
Is there any method (simpler explanation) by which what ever is written here can be expalined to Decision Makers......
Regards
ASHOK