Starting this summer, users with an IRS.gov account will no longer be able to log in with just a username and password. The system will require providing a government identification document, a selfie, and copies of their bills to access the IRS system, including filing taxes and making payments online.
The IRS is rolling out facial recognition, although the agency is quick to note it is comparing two images and not scanning large data collections. The company behind the system, ID.me, refers to it as “face match” rather than other facial recognition systems.
This is a system that a significant portion of Americans will use and interact with for Americans. Will it make citizens (and thus users) more comfortable with facial recognition? Will they push back? Will regulators get involved?
With some localities banning the systems entirely, a federal rollout like this will be impactful. It’s coming this summer.