Last month, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that it would require Americans to use face recognition software to access their tax records online. Given that such a requirement would create significant privacy concerns, POGO sent a letter to the IRS urging the agency to cease deployment of face recognition technology until it can solicit input from civil liberties and technology experts. Face recognition systems are prone to error and are more likely to misidentify women and people of color. Additionally, ID.me, the IRS’s company of choice, has experienced serious problems with accuracy. Several lawmakers on both sides of the aisle also spoke out against the IRS’s plans. And on Monday, the agency announced it would shut down not only its plans to use ID.me, but its plans to use any facial recognition software altogether. This is a win for civil liberties; however, other agencies still use face recognition technology—including many law enforcement entities. That is especially concerning when the government’s use of face recognition for surveillance is bound by no federal rules or limits. We will have more to come on the government’s use of face recognition technology, but in the meantime, you can read our letter to the IRS here.  Sarah Turberville
Director of The Constitution Project
Project On Government Oversight | 
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