Privacy

IRS Drops Facial Recognition Firm for Identifying Taxpayers Online

FEB 21 2022·Updated JAN 5 2023

Story

Image credit: fox

The Facts

The IRS will no longer use the third-party facial recognition firm ID.me after backlash from taxpayers, privacy experts and lawmakers.
CBS News
Critics cited concerns that the technology is flawed and can be biased against minorities, in addition to privacy issues relating to extremely sensitive data being held by private firms.
NBC
They also noted it can be technologically prohibitive to the elderly and poor who may not have access to computers or smartphones.
USA Today
IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig confirmed the move away from facial recognition software in a statement on Monday.
CBS News

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

This is a win for US taxpayers, privacy experts and lawmakers who rightfully argued that facial recognition software is an unacceptable condition for interacting with their government, particularly in light of the technology's privacy and discrimination concerns.

wapo

Narrative B

While this is a win, ID.me is only one of a growing number of private surveillance companies selling invasive technology to government and law enforcement agencies, inluding a recent product to help police identify homeless people. More must be done to protect privacy more broadly.

Vice