A recent claim made rounds on social media, alleging that the Income Tax Department would use DigiYatra data to crack down on tax evaders. Upon investigation by Channeliam Fact Check, it was found that the claim is false.
The Claim
On December 30, an X (formerly Twitter) post spread a report from The New Indian Express with the headline: “Tax department to tap Digi Yatra data to go after evaders.” The post suggested that this move would lead to the misuse of personal data from DigiYatra, urging concerns over data privacy.
Investigation and Findings by Channeliam Fact Check
Channeliam Fact Check conducted an investigation and found the claim to be completely false. The Income Tax Department responded on X, denying any such move to tap DigiYatra data. They clarified, “There is no such move by the Income Tax Department.”
The Ministry of Civil Aviation also responded, calling the report “unfounded and inaccurate.” They reassured the public that DigiYatra follows a Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) model, where personal data is stored exclusively on users’ devices, not in any central repository. Moreover, airport systems automatically delete data within 24 hours of a flight’s departure.
DigiYatra CEO, Suresh Khadakabhavi, further clarified that there is no central storage of biometric or personal data, as the system is decentralized to protect user privacy.
The Media Report
The initial report by The New Indian Express lacked concrete evidence and was based on unnamed sources. While the report was later updated with official responses from DigiYatra, the headline and subheading still implied that the claim was legitimate, despite clear refutations from relevant authorities.
In conclusion, the claim that the Income Tax Department would use DigiYatra data to target tax evaders is false. Both DigiYatra and the Income Tax Department, along with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, have categorically denied this claim, and Channeliam Fact Check has confirmed the viral claim to be baseless.
