Starting in 2022, the IRS has introduced a requirement for individuals wishing to establish new online accounts to submit a photo. This initiative is part of a collaboration with ID.me, a digital identity verification service.

In addition to your photo, you'll also need to provide an image of your driver's license or passport. By mid-2022, this facial recognition software will be necessary not just for new accounts but for anyone seeking to access their IRS account online. This includes tasks such as paying bills and retrieving information.

CNET notes regarding this update:

“An ID.me account is currently required to create a new online IRS account. If you have an IRS account name and password that you created before ID.me was implemented, that account will still work until summer 2022. The IRS has not given a specific date for when the old accounts must be converted over to ID.me accounts.”

You will need to utilize this system for various functions, including:

• Accessing and printing online transcripts,
• Making tax payments and setting up payment plans,
• Tracking Economic Impact Payments like stimulus checks,
• Requesting Identity Protection PINs.

Get ready to upload your selfie along with your driver's license or passport picture. By the end of 2022, an ID.me-verified account will be essential for accessing most parts of your online IRS account.

Why is Facial Recognition Necessary for the IRS? The IRS asserts that this measure aims to combat increasing fraud related to IRS payments, as noted by CPA Lena Petrova. This system is intended to address such fraudulent activities. ID.me has stated that it does not sell biometric data and claims that its face matching technology is comparable to that used in smartphone unlock features.

Critics Voice Concerns Over Discrimination Critics argue that this technology may misidentify women, people of color, and individuals who do not conform to traditional gender norms. Moreover, the requirement for a smartphone or a computer with a webcam poses challenges for economically disadvantaged individuals, seniors, and other demographics. If taking a selfie is a struggle for you, using ID.me could prove difficult.

ID.me assures users that no one will be left behind, currently serving 70 million Americans, 10 federal agencies, 30 states, and 540 companies. The company claims that it has successfully recognized individuals across various demographics and has partnered with "Sterling" to offer 650 in-person identity verification locations nationwide.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Change Currently, similar identity verification processes are already in place at various online brokerages and banks, and this trend is likely to extend across numerous government websites, not just the IRS. Therefore, individuals will need to adapt to this new norm, signaling a shift towards increased surveillance.

Interestingly, in China, where facial recognition is extensively used, consumer protections have emerged, as highlighted by a recent Washington Post article. New guidelines mandate that consent must be obtained from customers before facial recognition can be employed in public spaces such as hotels and malls. Additionally, the scope of technology use must be limited to what is necessary, and data protection measures must be implemented.

It remains to be seen whether the IRS and other U.S. government entities will adopt similar standards to those in China, where citizens enjoy certain rights regarding the use of facial recognition technology.

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Originally published at https://original.newsbreak.com.