• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Jobs
  • Career
    • Cyber Security Training
    • Work from Home
    • Cyber Security Analyst
    • Remote Work – Six Ways to Keep Your Data Safe When Working Remotely
  • Field Guide
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Deals
  • News
AskCyberSecurity.com

AskCyberSecurity.com

Cyber Security News & Information

  • Home
  • Data Privacy
    • Gamers
    • Government Cyber Security
      • Legislation
      • Standards
        • What are the risks of computer security?
        • Medical Cyber Security
    • Social Media
  • Security
    • Data Breaches
    • Scams
    • Malware
  • Software
    • Apps
    • Web Browsers
  • Glossary
    • Cyber Security Acronyms
  • About Ask Cyber Security
    • Authors
    • Contact Us
  • VPN
    • How Do I Know If My VPN is Working?
    • Best Free VPN iPhone
    • Why Use a VPN?
    • NordVPN vs IPVanish
    • Private Internet Access Download
    • Best VPN for Streaming
      • TikTok VPN
    • VPN Porn
    • Computer Security Software – What You Really Need
  • Tutorials
  • ChatGPT
    • Does ChatGPT Save Data?
AskCyber Home » News » News » IRS Stops Facial Recognition System for Online Access

IRS Stops Facial Recognition System for Online Access

2022-02-09 by Michelle Dvorak

IRS Facial Recognition

Backlash prompts IRS to back down from biometric requirement

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) said on Monday that the agency will transition away from requiring taxpayers to use biometric data to login into the agency’s website. The change in course comes after the IRS received criticism from US Congress and organizations about its partnership with a third-party identity verification vendor.

The IRS has been using a third-party private company, ID.me, the authenticate the identities of online account users. The verification process quickly gained notoriety as a cumbersome and invasive process.

The IRS began working with private vendor ID.me last November. Under the new policy, taxpayers were required to create an online account to access services and records. The sign-in process was an arduous task requiring photo identification, utility bills, and even a selfie. The final step required a video call to verify the taxpayer’s identity. Krebs on Security reported waiting over three hours for an agent to start the video call.

READ IRS Scam Emails Projected to Spike

Identity thieves use stolen credentials to file fraudulent tax returns and claim benefits. When the legitimate taxpayer files their proper paperwork they may be caught up for months trying to untangle the identity theft mess and dispute the false filings.

READ Beware of Fake IRS Tax Form Scam

In addition to removing the use of ID.me the IRS statement also said, “During this period, the IRS will continue to accept tax filings, and it has no other impact on the current tax season,” the IRS said. “People should continue to file their taxes as they normally would.”

About 30 states and ten federal agencies currently use ID.me to protect against identity theft ID scammers who apply for benefits using someone else’s name. Signing up via vendor ID.me is forced on millions by federal and state agencies to receive financial assistance, such as state unemployment insurance, child tax credit payments, and other assistance funds.

READ IRS Scam Scares Victims with Fake Overdue Tax Notice

U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) challenged the U.S. Treasury Department and IRS to roll back the biometric requirements and encouraged the use Login.gov instead.

Alternatively, 200 hundred websites run by 28 federal agencies have used Login.gov since 2015. The service offers single sign-in with two-factor authentication.

“The IRS will also continue to work with its cross-government partners to develop authentication methods that protect taxpayer data and ensure broad access to online tools,” the IRS said in a statement on Monday.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: IRS

About Michelle Dvorak

Michelle writes about cyber security, data privacy focusing on social media privacy as well as how to protect your IoT devices. She has worked in internet technology for over 20 years and owns METRONY, LLC. Michelle earned a B.S. in Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Michelle published a guide to Cyber Security for Business Travelers


LinkedInTwitterFacebook

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Our Free Newsletter

We Don't Share or Sell Your Info

Web Browsers

Where Are My Saved Passwords in Chrome?

Google Removes 70 Malicious Browser Add-ons from Chrome Web Store

Firefox 75 Reports Your Browser Settings to Mozilla

Categories

Cyber Security Field Guide

Computer Security While TravelingGet Our Cyber Security Field Guide - Available on Amazon!

Recent Posts

Security Marketing Manager – Remote

Sr. Associate, Cybersecurity Architect – Pfizer

Strategic Customer Success Manager – Cybersecurity – Opportunity for Working Remotely

Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

ISU Cybersecurity Leader Job Opening

Cyber Security News

Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

… [Read More...] about Top 20 Passwords Leaked on Dark Web

Apple Warns of Actively Exploited Zero-Day Flaw

… [Read More...] about Apple Warns of Actively Exploited Zero-Day Flaw

IRS Stops Facial Recognition System for Online Access

… [Read More...] about IRS Stops Facial Recognition System for Online Access

National Cybersecurity Alliance Announces Data Privacy Week

… [Read More...] about National Cybersecurity Alliance Announces Data Privacy Week

More Cyber Security News

Tags

amazon Android Apple bitcoin China chrome CISA credit card DarkSide DHS DOJ Equifax Europe Facebook facial recognition FBI Firefox FTC games GDPR Google Government hacker identity theft India iPhone Iran IRS LinkedIn Microsoft North Korea PayPal phishing phishing email ransomware REvil Russia smartphone T-Mobile TikTok tutorial VPN WhatsApp WiFi Windows

Government

CBP Looks to Access Airline Passenger Data

FTC Releases Cyber Threat Video Playlist

Malware Found on US Government Funded Phones

UK NCA Reaches Out to Youth to Deter Cybercrimes

More Posts from this Category

Footer

Menu

  • Home
  • About
  • Authors
  • Newsletter Signup
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Search

Why Use a VPN?

NordVPN vs IPVanish VPN Review

NAVIGATION

  • Data Breaches
  • Data Privacy
  • Gamers
  • Scams
  • Malware

MEMBER NJCCIC

New Jersey Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell

STAY CONNECTED

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
  • RSS

Copyright © 2023 · AskCyberSecurity.com · METRONY, LLC

Go to mobile version