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In 2020, trillions of dollars were pumped into the U.S. economy through enhanced government cash benefits, leading to an array of identity crimes that exposed issues in current identity verification processes. Recognizing that data could no longer be trusted as the sole source of truth about a person’s identity in most processes, the ITRC turned to a group of recognized policy, academic, technical and business experts, as well as victim advocates, to explore the use of biometrics. The ITRC’s Biometric Working Group was tasked to explore practical solutions that will help prevent identity crimes in an equitable and unbiased manner, while respecting privacy and ensuring data protection.
Key Findings in the ITRC Biometric Working Group Discussion Paper include:
- There is a clear distinction between facial verification (also referred to as facial comparison), which is a consent-based process for proving a person is who they claim to be, and the controversial facial recognition tools used for surveillance and investigation without a person’s knowledge by government agencies.
- The use of a facial biometric as part of a comprehensive identity verification process could help ensure the authenticity of the applicant while lowering the overall value of stolen personal information used by bad actors. As a result, individuals will be at less risk of certain identity-related crimes.
- Organizations seeking to use facial verification tools should follow best practices, including storing data for a limited time, encrypting the data and not using the data for anything to which the data subject has not consented.
About the ITRC Biometric Working Group
The ITRC Biometric Working Group was convened to discuss the practical, privacy and policy implications of the use of biometric identifiers in identity verification processes used by the public and private sectors. Subject matter experts who participated included:
John Breyault, National Consumers League/ITRC Board
Blair Cohen, AuthenticID/ITRC Board
Jamie Danker, Venable LLP
Jeremy Grant, Venable LLP & Better Identity Coalition (BIC)
Dr. David Maimon, Georgia State University
Zach Martin, Venable LLP
Linda Miller, Founder & CEO Audient Group, LLC
Drew Nicholson, Intellectual Technology Incorporated (ITI)
Dr. Stephanie Schuckers, Clarkson University
Stephen Smith, Intellectual Technology Incorporated (ITI)
Eva Velasquez, ITRC
Michael DiTurno, ITRC
