Biometrics are biological measurements that can be used to identify individuals. The most common types of biometric techniques include fingerprints and facial recognition.
Biometrics can save individuals a lot of time. For example, unlocking phones has become much quicker due to biometrics: One can press her finger or hold her face in front of a camera instead of using a password. Although it is only a few seconds, consumers strive for greater efficiency, regardless of size. As a result, the biometrics scan software industry has seen constant growth since being established, reaching an estimated $1.0 billion in 2021.
Where is my money?
While biometrics are helpful in many situations, individuals are still wary about the risks involved. In January 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that they would require biometrics to access online IRS tax accounts starting in the summer of 2022. Users would need to send facial videos via ID.me to access their accounts. If the system failed, users would have to manually verify themselves in a video call with ID.me directly.
A week later, the IRS stated that they would abandon the facial recognition system after being faced with criticism for collecting sensitive data on individuals. According to IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig, "The IRS takes taxpayer privacy and security seriously, and we understand the concerns that have been raised." 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."
An error occurred
While much of the backlash was due to privacy concerns, the third-party company ID.me was also a key factor. The nail in the coffin came when Congress representatives sent a letter with their concerns about the companies' lack of transparency regarding their facial recognition technology.
During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, many states used ID.me to verify users for unemployment benefits, and problems arose. Individuals who did not have access to the internet or cameras, or were not technologically adept, struggled to verify their information. Additionally, many states did not offer an offline alternative. Furthermore, the technology itself was deemed inaccurate multiple times, locking users their accounts and barring access to necessary benefits.
Not there yet
While biometrics has advanced drastically over the last decade, bugs and issues still arise. As a result, while individuals opt for biometrics for convenience, they also prefer the right to make a choice. Using your face to unlock your phone is great, but if you want to use your password, that should also be fine. As we further integrate biometrics into our society, we should still have an alternative, and that may be the key moving forward.
