Skype can be used for Aadhaar-ID authentication: Microsoft

Microsoft, today said it has presented to central authorities various “case scenarios” that how its Skype service can be used for identity authentication using the database of Aadhaar. We already support iris authentication (on Windows 10). Now it totally depends on them how they want to proceed,” Microsoft India Chairman Bhaskar Pramanik told PTI.

Focusing on an example, he said that Skype can be used by people to authenticate themselves for proceeding government services that need Aadhar-based authentication.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is in the debate with handset makers and operating system providers for fixing the identification technology on mobile devices. This will help people to approve their Aadhar biometrics on the phone itself to sustain various government subsidies, services, and schemes.

Bhaskar did not comment on the proceedings of the meeting as company representatives were not present at the time of a meeting. Talking about the Indian market, Pramanik said that the country is of vital importance.

“This is taking place because of the 3 things — expertise, transformation , and opportunity. We are also actively working with the government in all areas to contribute to the transforming India, and Digital India mission”.

Microsoft has collaborated with Andhra Pradesh government for rolling out a scheme that is solving the issues of high rates of school dropouts students. Using this data analytics, the solution predicts that how many students will drop out of school, helping the teachers to make better decisions and curb out the problems.

“Punjab has already signed up for this particular project,” . The US-based co. is also running another scheme that helps farmers get SMS notifications on the best time to sow the seeds in their fields so that they can get the best yield from sowing.

Another area of focus for the company is the cloud. “We have also done a partnership with PWC, where PWC will become an MS Cloud Solution Provider. This will help MS to extend its reach organizations of all sizes in India across industries like government, manufacturing, financial services and retail and healthcare,” he said.