McLean software firm ID.me Inc. will now offer users the option to verify their identity without taking a selfie that is scanned with facial recognition software — and allow users to delete selfies already stored in ID.me's database.
The company will offer the verification without automated facial recognition option to all its public sector clients, ID.me said in a press release. The move comes a day after the Internal Revenue Service announced it would stop using the facial recognition software due to privacy and security concerns.
Starting March 1, end users who have already used the facial recognition method will also be able to delete selfies from their account, the company said.
ID.me will now let government agencies that use its software offer an option for users to verify their identity through an agent — either through video chat or in real life, if the government is paying for the offline verification option. The nonselfie option is available to government agencies effective immediately, ID.me said.
In addition to the IRS, ID.me's software is used by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration, according to digital watchdog Fight for the Future, which has advocated against the use of facial recognition for access to government services. ID.me also deploys its software for several states' unemployment systems.
"We have listened to the feedback about facial recognition and are making this important change, adding an option for users to verify directly with a human agent to ensure consumers have even more choice and control over their personal data," ID.me CEO Blake Hall said in a statement.
ID.me already had the ability to verify users via video chat, and noted in January it was in the process of hiring 750 new verification agents. The IRS said Monday that it was "quickly pursuing short-term options that do not involve facial recognition," in order to minimize the disruption in the tax-filing season.
The backlash has been a dark spot in an otherwise booming year for ID.me, which has raised $200 million in equity and debt financing since March. The company's revenue increased 324% during the past three years as the shift to online of many government processes and transactions has ballooned the need for better identity verification. The company was valued at more than $1.5 billion as of March.
