India links National Intelligence Grid to National Population Register, expanding access for law enforcement

The Hindu
The Hindu 2M India
India's NATGRID is now linked to NPR, giving agencies access to 119 crore residents' data for investigations. The government encourages expanded use to enhance intelligence gathering.
India links National Intelligence Grid to National Population Register, expanding access for law enforcement
Why it matters
The Indian Home Ministry has integrated NATGRID, a secure intelligence-sharing platform operational since 2024, with the National Population Register containing family-wise information on 119 crore citizens. This enables state and central law enforcement agencies to access comprehensive personal data including driving licenses, bank records, and travel details to support investigations and counterterrorism efforts. NATGRID's technology includes analytical tools like Gandiva for facial recognition and entity resolution. State police now have access previously limited to select central agencies, enhancing nationwide intelligence coordination. While the government asserts oversight and data use restrictions, concerns about privacy and data sensitivity remain part of public discourse. The initiative reflects India's push for more intensive intelligence integration amid evolving security challenges.
TOPICS

World & Politics Governance Law & Public Safety Data Privacy

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