India pledges support for Myanmar digital ID pilot | Biometric Update — the government has intermittently shut down internet access, deployed firewall systems and blocked parts of the internet in what critics call a “digital iron curtain” and a “digital dictatorship.” In addition, it has been alleged the junta has made the electronic ID a tool for coercion and repression. Wai Phyo Mint, a digital rights advocate and policy analyst at Access Now, claims the project has been “weaponized” against thousands of civil servants who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement. Mint says those who tried to escape the country under false identities, after arrest warrants were issued, were unable to do so as the new system cross-references biometric data across passports, SIM cards and financial records. 8/1/25, 9:52 AM MOSIP highlights the UN DPI Safeguards Initiative World Bank highlights Pakistan’s progress on digital infrastructure, inclusive ID Somalia’s biometric border overhaul signals deeper US engagement More Features and Interviews Early last year, young Burmese attempted to flee following a military conscription law, which led to a surge in passport applications. The junta then made eID a requirement to acquire a passport and border passes. In response to such claims, the Ministry of Immigration and Population has said the digital ID system is not designed for surveillance but aims to securely manage personal information and to verify citizens’ identities for official use. The ministry says the implementation of a digital ID platform will streamline applications such as bank account openings, healthcare and licensing access. While the UK, EU and Canada have imposed sanctions targeting Myanmar’s military regime, it has received support from the governments of China, Russia, and, to a lesser extent, India. Mint has called for companies in China and India to halt technology transfer and in particular the supply of biometric systems and censorship technology that could enable surveillance and repression. Human Rights Myanmar has claimed “discriminatory surveillance practices” such as data retention, SIM registration, VPN blocks and facial recognition in a submission to the UN High Commissioner. Article Topics Aadhaar | biometrics | digital ID | digital identity | https://www.biometricupdate.com/202507/india-pledges-support-for-myanmar-digital-id-pilot BIOMETRICS WHITE PAPERS Biometrics Institute Concepts and Solutions Report Digitally synthetized fingerprint spoofs: a threat for anti-spoofing systems? Keystroke dynamics based user authentication using deep learning neural networks From trust to risk: Decentralized verification for ID fraud prevention Streamlining the Android 15 biometric certification process More White Papers BIOMETRICS EVENTS Cyber Digital Services, Defence and Page 3 of 7