Though the backlash led the IRS to make the feature optional. Hence, there’s now an alternative, according to CNN.
The IRS announced talking to a human via video chat will be an option to verify identities to log on to the website, if a taxpayer does not want to present their biometric data via face recognition technology.
Just two weeks ago the IRS announced it would require facial recognition technology to verify identities before making it optional.
On Monday, Feb. 21, the IRS released this statement on the controversy and how it’s addressing it: “The IRS announced today that a new option in the agency’s authentication system is now available for taxpayers to sign up for IRS online accounts without the use of any biometric data, including facial recognition,” the statement reads.
The statement continues, “This is consistent with the IRS’s commitment earlier this month to transition away from the requirement for taxpayers creating an IRS online account to provide a selfie to a third-party service to help authenticate their identity. Taxpayers will have the option of verifying their identity during a live, virtual interview with agents; no biometric data – including facial recognition – will be required if taxpayers choose to authenticate their identity through a virtual interview.”
The IRS assured biometric verification will be safe, “Taxpayers will still have the option to verify their identity automatically through the use of biometric verification through ID.me’s self-assistance tool if they choose. For taxpayers who select this option, new requirements are in place to ensure images provided by taxpayers are deleted for the account being created. Any existing biometric data from taxpayers who previously created an IRS Online Account that has already been collected will also be permanently deleted over the course of the next few weeks.”
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