The acid attack survivor, in her plea, stated that she faced severe eye disfigurement and facial damage. In July 2023, she approached a bank to open an account but could not complete the e-KYC process because the bank required a live photograph in which she blinked. Due to this condition, she was denied access and sought relief from the apex court.Highlighting the barriers created by such practices, the petition pointed out that the mandatory requirement of proving a customer is alive, regulated by the RBI, can currently only be fulfilled if the person blinks before the camera, effectively excluding many with disabilities.In response, the apex court passed 20 directions to ensure accessibility in the digital KYC process. It held that acid attack survivors and persons with visual impairments are entitled to protection under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.“The constitutional provisions confer a statutory right on the petitioners to be accommodated in the KYC process. It is imperative that digital KYC guidelines are revised with the accessibility code. In the contemporary era, where economic opportunities etc. is through digital (access), Article 21 needs to be re-interpreted in light of such technology and the digital divide increases,” the court stated.
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