NADRA Mobile App Feature Causes Confusion Over Deceased Identity Cards
The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) mobile app has raised concerns due to a puzzling feature that seemingly allows deceased individuals to cancel their own identity cards.
Confusing “Cancel Identity Due to Death” Feature
In the app’s “Cancel Identity Due to Death” section, users are given two options: one for relatives of the deceased and another labeled “Myself.” However, selecting “Myself” prompts the user to undergo a facial recognition “liveness check,” which is meant to confirm that the person is alive and matches the official records.
The strange situation arises from the idea that a deceased individual would need to log into the app, select the “myself” option, and even complete the liveness check, which raises significant confusion.
NADRA’s Clarification
When contacted for clarification, a NADRA spokesperson explained that the service was designed for the relatives of the deceased to cancel the identity card. However, they did not address why the app provides a “myself” option for the deceased, or why a liveness check is required for someone presumed to be deceased.
A Design Oversight?
This issue highlights a potential design flaw or oversight in the app, which has been a recurring problem in various government apps in Pakistan. While NADRA has not yet offered an official explanation, questions remain about whether this is a technical glitch, mislabeling, or an unresolved flaw in the app’s user interface.
As of now, users continue to express confusion over this feature, raising concerns about the usability and accuracy of critical government services delivered through mobile apps.
