The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are reportedly looking for alternatives to the controversial facial recognition software ID.me, according to a report by Bloomberg. As Bloomberg notes, the agencies didn’t cite a reason for the possible change, and also didn’t mention any privacy concerns about the service.
It’s unlikely for the department to establish in-house software due to a “lack of funding for IRS modernization.”
“The IRS is consistently looking for ways to make the filing process more secure,” Treasury Department spokesperson Alexandra LaManna said in a statement to Bloomberg. “We believe in the importance of protecting the privacy of taxpayers, while also ensuring criminals are not able to gain access to taxpayer accounts.” LaManna also told Bloomberg users aren’t obligated to file their taxes online and that it’s unlikely for the department to establish in-house software due to a “lack of funding for IRS modernization.” The IRS and ID.me didn’t immediately respond to The Verge’s request for comment.
