Pandemic Darlings The pandemic economy, in original documents
Home Source documents Washington Post, ID.me drops facial-recognition requirement; $86M Treasury contract Feb…

Washington Post, ID.me drops facial-recognition requirement; $86M Treasury contract Feb 9, 2022

Archived source: Washington Post, ID.me drops facial-recognition requirement; $86M Treasury contract Feb 9, 2022. Captured from www.washingtonpost.com

Cited in: Blake Hall and ID.me's California Contract · Blake Hall

Cite this document

“Washington Post, ID.me drops facial-recognition requirement; $86M Treasury contract Feb 9, 2022.” Original at www.washingtonpost.com. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/washington-post-id-me-drops-facial-recognition-requirement-86m-treasur-ae4e214970/, SHA-256 5605431ffe14b289cedc8b031879a4a926bd3ae4ec8f93243646eaf2d591ef01.

Full text

[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. Try Ask The Post AI.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/ask-the-post-ai/)

* * *

259**Comments**

![Image 8](https://palomaimages.washingtonpost.com/prod/512x288_Tech_tstmp_1623882240.jpg)

Newsletter As news breaks

![Image 9](https://palomaimages.washingtonpost.com/prod/512x288_Tech_tstmp_1623882240.jpg)

Tech News Alerts

Breaking news email alerts on technology and the tech industry.

Sign up

[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/)

## Company

*   [About The Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/about-the-post/)
*   [Newsroom Policies & Standards](https://www.washingtonpost.com/policies-and-standards/)
*   [WP Creative Group](https://www.washingtonpost.com/creativegroup/archive/)
*   [Diversity & Inclusion](https://washingtonpost.com/about-the-post/workforce-demographics/)
*   [Careers](https://careers.washingtonpost.com/)
*   [Media & Community Relations](https://www.washingtonpost.com/public-relations/)
*   [Accessibility Statement](https://www.washingtonpost.com/accessibility/)

## Sections

*   [Trending](https://www.washingtonpost.com/trending/)
*   [Politics](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/)
*   [Elections](https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/)
*   [Opinions](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/)
*   [National](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/)
*   [World](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/)
*   [Style](https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/)
*   [Sports](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/)
*   [Business](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/)
*   [Climate](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/)
*   [Well+Being](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellbeing/)
*   [D.C., Md., & Va.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/)
*   [Obituaries](https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/)
*   [Weather](https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/)
*   [Arts & Entertainment](https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/)
*   [Recipes](https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/)

## Get The Post

*   [WP Intelligence](https://wpintelligence.washingtonpost.com/)
*   [Enterprise Subscriptions](https://subscription.washingtonpost.com/enterprise/)
*   [Manage Your Subscription](https://www.washingtonpost.com/my-post/account/subscription/?itid=site_footer)
*   [Become a Subscriber](https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/acquisition/?p=s_v&s_l=ONSITE_FOOTER_DIGITAL)
*   [Gift Subscriptions](https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/acquisition/?p=g_v&s_l=ONSITE_FOOTER_GIFT)
*   [Mobile & Apps](https://subscription.washingtonpost.com/mobile/)
*   [Newsletters & Alerts](https://washingtonpost.com/newsletters/)
*   [Washington Post Live](https://www.washingtonpost.com/washington-post-live/)
*   [Reprints & Permissions](https://www.washingtonpost.com/reprints-permissions/)
*   [Post Store](https://store.washingtonpost.com/)
*   [Books & E-Books](https://www.washingtonpost.com/photos-books/)
*   [Print Archives (Subscribers Only)](https://www.proquest.com/?accountid=189667)
*   [Today’s Paper](https://www.washingtonpost.com/todays_paper/updates/)
*   [Public Notices](https://www.washingtonpost.com/classifieds/)

## Contact Us

*   [Contact the Newsroom](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002940991-Leadership-of-The-Washington-Post-newsroom)
*   [Contact Customer Care](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/)
*   [Contact the Opinions Team](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/articles/360004745292-Leadership-of-The-Washington-Post-Opinions-section)
*   [Advertise](https://www.washingtonpost.com/solutions/)
*   [Licensing & Syndication](https://www.washingtonpost.com/licensing-syndication)
*   [Request a Correction](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003675928-Submit-a-correction)
*   [Send a News Tip](https://www.washingtonpost.com/anonymous-news-tips/)
*   [Report a Vulnerability](https://www.washingtonpost.com/discussions/2021/05/13/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/)

## Terms of Use

*   [Digital Products Terms of Sale](https://www.washingtonpost.com/information/2022/06/17/terms-sale-digital-products/)
*   [Print Products Terms of Sale](https://www.washingtonpost.com/information/2020/11/20/terms-sale-print-products/)
*   [Terms of Service](https://www.washingtonpost.com/terms-of-service/)
*   [Privacy Policy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/privacy-policy/)
*   [Cookie Settings](https://www.washingtonpost.com/cookie-policy/)
*   [Submissions & Discussion Policy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/discussions/2021/11/23/discussion-submission-guidelines/)
*   [RSS Terms of Service](https://www.washingtonpost.com/discussions/2021/01/01/rss-terms-service/)
*   [Sitemap](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sitemap/)
*   [Ad Choices](https://www.washingtonpost.com/information/2022/01/01/ad-choices/)

[washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/) © 1996-2026 The Washington Post

[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/)

### ## Company

Chevron Icon

*   [WP Intelligence](https://www.wpintelligence.com/)
*   [Ask The Post AI](https://www.washingtonpost.com/ask-the-post-ai/)
*   [WP Creative Group](https://www.washingtonpost.com/creativegroup/archive/)
*   [Diversity & Inclusion](https://washingtonpost.com/about-the-post/workforce-demographics/)
*   [Careers](https://careers.washingtonpost.com/)
*   [Media & Community Relations](https://www.washingtonpost.com/public-relations/)
*   [Accessibility Statement](https://www.washingtonpost.com/accessibility/)

### ## Sections

Chevron Icon

*   [Trending](https://www.washingtonpost.com/trending/)
*   [Politics](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/)
*   [Elections](https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/)
*   [Opinions](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/)
*   [National](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/)
*   [World](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/)
*   [Style](https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/)
*   [Sports](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/)
*   [Business](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/)
*   [Climate](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/)
*   [Well+Being](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellbeing/)
*   [D.C., Md., & Va.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/)
*   [Obituaries](https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/)
*   [Weather](https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/)
*   [Arts & Entertainment](https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/)
*   [Recipes](https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/)

### ## Get The Post

Chevron Icon

*   [WP Intelligence](https://wpintelligence.washingtonpost.com/)
*   [Enterprise Subscriptions](https://subscription.washingtonpost.com/enterprise/)
*   [Manage Your Subscription](https://www.washingtonpost.com/my-post/account/subscription/?itid=site_footer)
*   [Become a Subscriber](https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/acquisition/?p=s_v&s_l=ONSITE_FOOTER_DIGITAL)
*   [Gift Subscriptions](https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/acquisition/?p=g_v&s_l=ONSITE_FOOTER_GIFT)
*   [Mobile & Apps](https://subscription.washingtonpost.com/mobile/)
*   [Newsletters & Alerts](https://washingtonpost.com/newsletters/)
*   [Washington Post Live](https://www.washingtonpost.com/washington-post-live/)
*   [Reprints & Permissions](https://www.washingtonpost.com/reprints-permissions/)
*   [Post Store](https://store.washingtonpost.com/)
*   [Books & E-Books](https://www.washingtonpost.com/photos-books/)
*   [Print Archives (Subscribers Only)](https://www.proquest.com/?accountid=189667)
*   [Today’s Paper](https://www.washingtonpost.com/todays_paper/updates/)
*   [Public Notices](https://www.washingtonpost.com/classifieds/)

### ## Contact Us

Chevron Icon

*   [Contact the Newsroom](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002940991-Leadership-of-The-Washington-Post-newsroom)
*   [Contact Customer Care](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/)
*   [Contact the Opinions Team](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/articles/360004745292-Leadership-of-The-Washington-Post-Opinions-section)
*   [Advertise](https://www.washingtonpost.com/solutions/)
*   [Licensing & Syndication](https://www.washingtonpost.com/licensing-syndication)
*   [Request a Correction](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003675928-Submit-a-correction)
*   [Send a News Tip](https://www.washingtonpost.com/anonymous-news-tips/)
*   [Report a Vulnerability](https://www.washingtonpost.com/discussions/2021/05/13/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/)
*   [Download the Washington Post App](https://wapo.onelink.me/e76N/ec774mr8)

*   [About The Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/about-the-post/)
*   [Policies & Standards](https://www.washingtonpost.com/policies-and-standards/)
*   [Digital Products Terms of Sale](https://www.washingtonpost.com/information/2022/06/17/terms-sale-digital-products/)
*   [Print Products Terms of Sale](https://www.washingtonpost.com/information/2020/11/20/terms-sale-print-products/)
*   [Terms of Service](https://www.washingtonpost.com/terms-of-service/)
*   [Privacy Policy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/privacy-policy/)
*   [Cookie Settings](https://www.washingtonpost.com/cookie-policy/)
*   [Submissions & Discussion Policy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/discussions/2021/11/23/discussion-submission-guidelines/)
*   [RSS Terms of Service](https://www.washingtonpost.com/discussions/2021/01/01/rss-terms-service/)
*   [Sitemap](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sitemap/)
*   [Ad Choices](https://www.washingtonpost.com/information/2022/01/01/ad-choices/)

*   [washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/)
*   © 1996-2026 The Washington Post

5.61.1

Already have an account?[Sign in](https://www.washingtonpost.com/subscribe/signin/index.html?tid=wa_hardregwall_auth&next_url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/02/09/irs-idme-facial-recognition-login/&)

* * *

AMERICA 250 JULY 4TH SALE

# Two ways to read this article:

Create an account

Free

*   Access **this article**

Enter email address 

By selecting "Start reading," you agree to The Washington Post's [Terms of Service](https://www.washingtonpost.com/information/2022/01/01/terms-of-service/) and [Privacy Policy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/privacy-policy/). 

Start reading

Subscribe

$2 every four weeks for the first year

*   **Unlimited access** to all articles
*   **24/7**live news updates

Subscribe

File and source

File
irs-idme-facial-recognition-login_e6d6e2328461b0cd.md.txt
Size
13,571 bytes
SHA-256
5605431ffe14b289cedc8b031879a4a926bd3ae4ec8f93243646eaf2d591ef01
Our copy
irs-idme-facial-recognition-login_e6d6e2328461b0cd.md.txt
Original
www.washingtonpost.com
Back to top