Title: Private contractor to drop facial recognition requirement for all state and federal agencies after backlash over IRS plan URL Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/02/09/irs-idme-facial-recognition-login/ Published Time: 2022-02-09T15:12:30.698Z Markdown Content: [Accessibility statement](https://www.washingtonpost.com/accessibility/)[Skip to main content](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/02/09/irs-idme-facial-recognition-login/#main-content) [Democracy Dies in Darkness](https://www.washingtonpost.com/) [Save and subscribe](https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/acquisition/?oscode=RPWH&s_l=ONSITE_HEADER_ARTICLE&p=s_v&s_ct=article&itid=nav_subscribe_logged_out&tid=nav_subscribe_logged_out&acqEntType=mktg_onsite_article&destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Ftechnology%2F2022%2F02%2F09%2Firs-idme-facial-recognition-login%2F&arcId=7WS32UFFL5EZXOAVYC5S64XZS4)[Sign in](https://www.washingtonpost.com/subscribe/signin/?next_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Ftechnology%2F2022%2F02%2F09%2Firs-idme-facial-recognition-login%2F&nid=top_pb_signin&arcId=7WS32UFFL5EZXOAVYC5S64XZS4&account_location=ONSITE_HEADER_ARTICLE&itid=nav_sign_in) Democracy Dies in Darkness [Tech](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/?itid=sn_tech_title)[Help Desk](https://www.washingtonpost.com/personal-tech/?itid=sn_tech_1/)[Artificial Intelligence](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/innovations/)[Internet Culture](https://www.washingtonpost.com/internet-culture/?itid=sn_tech_3/)[Space](https://www.washingtonpost.com/space/?itid=sn_tech_4/)[Tech Policy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/tech-policy/?itid=sn_tech_5/) [Tech](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/?itid=sn_tech_title)[Help Desk](https://www.washingtonpost.com/personal-tech/?itid=sn_tech_1/)[Artificial Intelligence](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/innovations/)[Internet Culture](https://www.washingtonpost.com/internet-culture/?itid=sn_tech_3/)[Space](https://www.washingtonpost.com/space/?itid=sn_tech_4/)[Tech Policy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/tech-policy/?itid=sn_tech_5/) # Private contractor to drop facial recognition requirement for all state and federal agencies after backlash over IRS plan The sudden reversal will reshape how Americans verify their identities while filing for unemployment or other government benefits. Advocates worry that offering the face-scan option will still put ‘people’s sensitive information at risk.’ Updated February 9, 2022 More than**4 years ago** 6 min 259 [Make us preferred on Google](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=washingtonpost.com) ![Image 5](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/T2P6BFEF2MI6ZFI4DYGMG4R6KM.jpg&w=440%20400w) The Internal Revenue Service headquarters in Washington. (J. David Ake/AP) ![Image 6](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/washpost/8a44606d-0dc6-4dc0-bb9d-007c9f770a61.png&h=196&w=196) By [Drew Harwell](https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/drew-harwell/) The private contractor ID.me says it will drop the facial recognition requirement in the identity-verification software used by 30 states and 10 federal agencies, a major reversal following a backlash due to the technology’s accuracy and privacy concerns. [![Image 7](https://arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/PGUBVUJQIRFYLF6QQYYJ6OXJAA.png)Get concise answers to your questions. 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