By Kavita Mistry 
At Trivandrum International Airport, passengers face an unsettling hurdle when attempting to connect to Wi-Fi — they must scan their passports and boarding passes at designated kiosks. Managed by the Adani Group, the airport’s Wi-Fi access policy stands in stark contrast to global norms, where internet access is typically free and requires minimal identity verification.
Unusual and Invasive Practice
Across international airports — from Singapore’s Changi to London’s Heathrow — travellers access complimentary Wi-Fi through a quick email or phone number verification. Rarely, if ever, are passengers asked to hand over biometric and travel data to connect to the internet.
At Trivandrum Airport, however, passengers are compelled to scan documents containing sensitive details such as passport numbers, travel history, and citizenship information — effectively surrendering their digital identity to a private entity for a service that should be basic and benign.
Who Collects This Data — and Why?
The Adani Group, which operates the airport, claims the verification system enhances security and accountability. However, the scope and necessity of such data collection remain questionable.
Given the Adani Group’s controversial track record, including allegations of stock manipulation and accounting fraud made in the Hindenburg Research report, the move has raised eyebrows. While the group denies all wrongdoing, the idea of granting a private company access to sensitive personal documents unsettles many travellers and privacy advocates alike.
Experts warn that centralised databases of passport information in private hands can become targets for cyberattacks, risking identity theft, data leaks, and even national security breaches.
Flawed Justification and Security Risks
While airports often justify such measures under the guise of security, scanning passports for Wi-Fi access seems disproportionate. Most countries already require identity verification during flight check-ins and immigration processes. Repeating the process merely for internet access does not enhance safety — it only amplifies privacy risks.
Instead of securing passengers, such systems might create new vulnerabilities. In an age of growing digital surveillance and data misuse, policies like these call for greater transparency, regulatory oversight, and a reassessment of how much personal information passengers should be compelled to share.