Digi Yatra, India’s digital identity platform that enables facial recognition-based airport entry, is preparing to expand beyond domestic aviation into international travel. The move comes even as its domestic rollout continues, according to LiveMint.

Successful trials at Bengaluru airport: IndiGo, the Digi Yatra Foundation (DYF), Bangalore International Airport, and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) conducted joint trials of the system, with interoperability tests conducted using electronic passports on the Bengaluru–Doha route at Kempegowda airport. Consequently, the platform showed its ability to extend beyond Aadhaar-based onboarding by testing enrolment through electronic passports.

Immigration not covered in current trials: However, the current pilots do not include immigration processes. These would require separate regulatory approvals and coordination with multiple stakeholders, indicating that full international deployment will involve additional layers of integration.

Digi Yatra aims to forego immigration lines: Speaking at The Hindu Tech Summit 2026, DYF CEO Suresh Khadakbhavi said the platform aims to enable passport-based digital credential sharing across airports, allowing passengers to avoid repeated identity checks and long immigration queues during international travel.

Data privacy concerns with the platform: In 2024, a technologist’s investigation alleged that Digi Yatra’s app transmitted passenger data to Dataevolve’s AWS servers and retained references to these systems even after migration. The analysis further claimed the app could access extensive device data, including information from other applications.

Separately, the Kerala High Court has issued a notice on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging unauthorised sharing and misuse of passenger data by airport digital systems, including Digi Yatra, and seeking compliance with Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) rules, a halt on related tenders, and clarity on the constitution of a Data Protection Board (DPB). Notably, the organisation is also exempt from providing information under the Right to Information (RTI).

Ownership dispute: The Delhi High Court is adjudicating a commercial dispute between DYF and Data Evolve Solutions over ownership of the Digi Yatra Central Ecosystem. DYF claims ownership of the platform and associated software under their 2021 agreement, while Data Evolve asserts rights over the underlying architecture. The court is examining intellectual property claims, alleged infringement, and misappropriation, following an interim order that directed Data Evolve to hand over system access and credentials to DYF.

Questions to Digi Yatra: MediaNama has sent the following questions to DYF regarding their international expansion plans. The article will be updated when we receive a response. 

1. What regulatory approvals and technical integrations does Digi Yatra still require before it can move from limited airport trials to a full international travel system? What would the timeline look like for a feasible roll-out, and with which countries?
2. What personal data will the platform collect for international travel, and how will it ensure clear notice, informed consent, and purpose limitation, as required under the DPDP rules?
3. Will Digi Yatra capture and process the personal data of international travellers, including foreign nationals, and if so, under what legal and regulatory framework?
4. If Digi Yatra shares verified credentials with both departure and destination airports, which entities will receive that data, and how will passengers exercise their rights to access, correction, erasure, and grievance redressal under the DPDP?
5. Will Digi Yatra be classified as a significant data fiduciary given the scale and sensitivity of biometric data involved, and if so, will it implement audits, impact assessments, and breach reporting mechanisms mandated under the DPDP?
6. How will Digi Yatra manage cross-border data transfers if passenger data flows to foreign airports or systems, particularly in light of the DPDP provisions on restricting transfers outside India?

Also read

• Who Really Owns Digi Yatra? New Allegation Against KPMG Revives Debate In Delhi HC
• Privacy Concerns Cloud Digi Yatra Expansion, Open Dialogue Needed for Transparency: IFF to Digi Yatra Foundation
• NHRC issues notice to MeitY over lapses in children’s data protection on major online platforms