The IRS recently announced that it was utilizing facial recognition software for taxpayers to access their accounts. However, following backlash from taxpayers and lawmakers, the IRS has announced it will stop using the software.
IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said in a statement that the “IRS takes taxpayer privacy and security seriously, and we understand the concerns that have been raised. Everyone should feel comfortable with how their personal information is secured, and we are quickly pursuing short-term options that do not involve facial recognition.”
The IRS has now decided that “over the coming weeks,” it will shift away from using ID.me in order to avoid disruptions during tax filing season. The software would require individuals to upload their ID and submit a picture of video chat with an agent.
Four congressional Democrats had written to IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig to urge the IRS to stop using the technology. They cited privacy concerns, data security, and other issues. They also brought up a 2019 incident in which a government contractor’s computer was breached, which exposed thousands of Americans’ faces and license plates, CBS reported.
The IRS has additionally stated that it will use an authentication system that does not require facial recognition.
In a recent CBS MoneyWatch interview with ID.me CEO Blake Hall, Hall stated that ID.me was “simply the digital equivalent of what every American does to open up a bank account.”
Zainah Yousef is a writer for The DZSH Group. She is also the author of “The Fallen Age Saga.” Her areas of focus are on psychology, politics, public security, and war. She is also a frequent contributor in articles on video games and entertainment news.
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Zainah Yousef
Zainah Yousef is the author of The Fallen Age Saga and specializes in gaming, social media advice, and reviews. She's been writing all her life and she probably won't stop anytime soon.
