Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden,
D-Ore., called on the agency to end its use of
the ID.me software. After the IRS announced
the practice would be suspended, Wyden said
“the Treasury Department has made the smart
decision to direct the IRS to transition away from
using the controversial ID.me veriication service.”
“No one should be forced to submit to facial
recognition to access critical government
services,” he added.
The IRS is currently grappling with a worker
shortage and an expanded workload from
processing tax ilings and administering
pandemic-related programs. Legislation that
would have given the agency billions of dollars to
more expeditiously process returns is stalled.
“The IRS takes taxpayer privacy and security
seriously, and we understand the concerns that
have been raised,” said IRS Commissioner
Chuck Rettig.
“Everyone should feel comfortable with how
their personal information is secured, and we are
quickly pursuing short-term options that do not
involve facial recognition.”
The agency said the transition would occur “over
the coming weeks in order to prevent larger
disruptions to taxpayers during iling season.”