# IRS Will Allow Taxpayers to Opt Out of Facial Recognition Scan to Access Taxes Online

By Human Events · Published 2022-02-21 · News & Analysis › Economy · https://humanevents.com/news/irs-will-allow-taxpayers-to-opt-out-of-facial-recognition-scan-to-access-taxes-online

> The IRS announced Monday that it will allow taxpayers to opt out of using facial recognition technology as a form of identity verification. As previously reported by Human Events News, the IRS announced a few weeks ago that it is walking back its decision to require taxpayers to submit a facial recognition scan to access \[…\]

The IRS announced Monday that it will allow taxpayers to opt out of using facial recognition technology as a form of identity verification.

As previously reported by Human Events News, the IRS announced a few weeks ago that it is walking back its decision to require taxpayers to submit a facial recognition scan to access their taxes online.

Indeed, *[Human Events News](https://humanevents.com/2022/01/21/say-cheese-irs-will-soon-make-taxpayers-scan-face-to-access-taxes-online/)* reported that the IRS announced in January plans to require users to sign into the IRS website through an account with third-party firm ID.me and provide a government identification document with their photo, along with a selfie, to verify their identity.

However, now, those trying to access their accounts online can instead verify their identity through a live, virtual interview with a representative from a third-party service.

If taxpayers so choose, they may still be able to use ID.me, *The Hill* [reports](https://thehill.com/policy/finance/595159-irs-allowing-taxpayers-to-opt-out-of-facial-recognition-technology).

“No biometric data - including facial recognition - will be required if taxpayers choose to authenticate their identity through a virtual interview,” the IRS said in a statement.

Video selfies uploaded through ID.me by taxpayers will be “permanently deleted” over the next few weeks.