IRS Stops Using Facial Authentication Software for Access to Online Accounts

A prior blog article posting included an article about the IRS’ plans to use ID.me facial recognition software for taxpayers and others to authenticate access to their online accounts.

Under pressure from privacy activists and several members of Congress, the Treasury Department has directed the IRS to transition away from using the controversial ID.me ID facial recognition verification services after deciding that biometric information is inherently risky and pointing out that many facial recognition systems have deep racial and gender biases.

On February 7, 2022, the IRS announced that over the next few weeks it will transition away from requiring taxpayers to use third-party facial recognition software to authenticate their online accounts. The IRS says that it will develop “an additional authentication process that does not involve facial recognition.” However, it didn’t specify what that process would be and when it would be effective.

So, you will not be needing an ID.me verification if the IRS requirement was your only need for one.