ID.me Says It Will Make Facial Recognition Optional

[Demon_Skeith]

In a major turn of events, embattled identity verification company ID.me says it will make facial recognition verification optional for all of its public sector government partners. Additionally, starting March 1, the company says all ID.me users will be able to delete their face scans.

That reversal comes just one day after the Internal Revenue Service said it would scrap ID.me’s facial recognition service for users trying to access online IRS services amid an outpouring of criticism from civil liberty groups and a bipartisan collection of lawmakers.

“We have listened to the feedback about facial recognition and are making this important change, adding an option for users to verify directly with a human agent to ensure consumers have even more choice and control over their personal data,” ID.me founder and CEO Blake Hall said in a statement.

In the past, ID.me users would submit a face scan to verify their identity against a government document. If ID.me’s system failed to validate that scan, the users would then join a recorded video call with an ID.me representative called a “Trusted Referee.” Moving forward it appears that all ID.me users attempting to access public sector government partners will be able to use a similar human identity verification method without first submitting a face scan. In some cases, users can also opt for an in-person verification if the relevant agency has opted into ID.me’s offline option.

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[Artisan Vistra]

With great responsibility comes no accountability. Maybe they should move to voter recognition instead. Maybe they are cutting costs and effort for referees if there is a shortage of positions.

 

[Demon_Skeith]

With great responsibility comes no accountability. Maybe they should move to voter recognition instead. Maybe they are cutting costs and effort for referees if there is a shortage of positions.

They don't need to though, there is plenty of hoops to jump through to get ahold of the IRS, which is a bad and good thing.

 

[Sharon]

Actually, that would be extremely convenient. I use it occasionally and I always have to reset my password because I forget which one I used.

 

[Demon_Skeith]

Actually, that would be extremely convenient. I use it occasionally and I always have to reset my password because I forget which one I used.

You, got to think about this more out of the box, if all it requires is your image then any workplace can gain access to your records or if someone knows how to use a camera in public and knows you enough.

 

[Sharon]

You, got to think about this more out of the box, if all it requires is your image then any workplace can gain access to your records or if someone knows how to use a camera in public and knows you enough.

Honestly I don't mind because just like entering a military facility you have to go through security to prove your identity. So much is being done virtually now it just makes sense to go through an extra step to prove that you are who you say you are. I would hate it if some stranger was using my credentials to take advantage of my benefits.