NADRA has introduced a new privacy feature in its Pak ID mobile application that gives Pakistani citizens direct control over who can access their biometric data. Launched on May 16, 2026, the Block Biometric Data Access option prevents any facial recognition or fingerprint verification from taking place without the explicit permission of the account holder, addressing a growing concern among users about the unauthorized or unnecessary use of sensitive identity information stored within the national database.
The feature works as a digital lock on a citizen’s biometric profile. Once activated, no third party or service can query or verify a user’s biometric information through the Pak ID ecosystem without the user first choosing to lift the block. NADRA officials described the primary objective of the update as safeguarding sensitive identity information by putting control entirely in the hands of citizens, actively preventing biometric data from being accessed in situations where the user has not consented. Activating the feature requires users to log into the Pak ID mobile app, navigate to Profile Settings, and select the Block Biometric Data Access option. On certain devices, a quick facial or fingerprint verification may be required at the point of activation to confirm the identity of the person enabling the block.
The design of the feature accounts for situations where biometric verification is genuinely needed. Users can temporarily disable the block to complete a required verification, and immediately reactivate it once the process is complete, ensuring that the protection remains in place as a default state rather than something that must be manually re-enabled each time. This toggle-based approach is intended to make the feature practical for everyday use rather than a one-time setting that creates friction when legitimate verification is required. The launch of the Block Biometric Data Access feature positions NADRA as taking a proactive stance on digital identity privacy at a time when biometric data is being used across an increasingly wide range of services in Pakistan, from banking and mobile SIM verification to government service delivery and financial inclusion programs.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
