Sabeer Bhatia criticizes Aadhaar spending, bats for video & voice printing

Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia has questioned the $1.3 billion expenditure on India’s Aadhaar project, claiming that the biometric data collected is not being effectively utilized. Speaking on the podcast Prakhar Ke Pravachan, hosted by Prakhar Gupta, Bhatia argued that the unique identity system could have been built for just $20 million using video and voice printing technology.

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Bhatia described Aadhaar as “$1.3 billion ill spent,” criticizing the project’s implementation. He claimed that a simpler and more cost-effective solution would have been to use voiceprints and video identification, which modern smartphones can easily capture. According to him, such a system could have been integrated into airports and other verification processes, eliminating the need for physical identity checks.

Explaining video and voice printing technology, Bhatia said it works by recording and analyzing a person’s facial movements, speech patterns, and vocal frequency to create a unique digital signature. This biometric data can then be stored and used for identity verification, security screening, and fraud prevention.

Without taking names, Bhatia remarked that those behind Aadhaar “don’t know technology” and have never coded, leading to inefficiencies in the project. He concluded by urging policymakers to “use their brains” and adopt more effective technological solutions.