US Federal Agencies Official Position On Use of Biometrics: The Verdict is Rejection

Concerns Over Biometric Use for Identity by US Federal Agencies

US federal agencies and legislative bodies have expressed significant concerns over the use of biometric technologies for identity verification and other purposes. These concerns span a wide range of issues from privacy and civil liberties to technical inaccuracies and biases inherent in biometric systems. The collective stance reflects a cautious approach to the deployment of biometric technologies, emphasizing the need for ethical use, rigorous evaluation, regulatory oversight, and comprehensive legal frameworks to safeguard individual rights and data security.

• U.S. Congress
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
• Department of Commerce (DOC)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Office of Privacy and Civil Liberties (OPCL)
• Department of Justice (DOJ)
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
• Government Accountability Office (GAO)
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Concerns: Accuracy variances across demographic groups potentially lead to biases in biometric systems.

Government Accountability Office (GAO)

Concerns: Privacy, accuracy, and the absence of a legal framework governing biometric technologies highlight the need for regulatory oversight.

U.S. Congress

Concerns: Potential for racial bias, privacy breaches, and the urgent need for comprehensive privacy legislation to regulate biometric data usage.

Department of Commerce

Concerns: The importance of privacy and transparency in the use of facial recognition technology, advocating for best practices among commercial entities.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Concerns: Accuracy, use, and storage of biometric data, with emphasis on the risk of misuse and the necessity for stringent privacy measures.

Office of Privacy and Civil Liberties (OPCL) within the Department of Justice (DOJ)

Concerns: Ensuring biometric technology usage respects individual privacy and civil liberties, advocating for a balance between technology and rights.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Concerns: Privacy and security risks associated with biometric data, with enforcement actions taken against misuse and misrepresentation of biometric technologies.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Concerns: Privacy and security implications led to the reconsideration of facial recognition technology for service access, transitioning towards alternative verification methods.

Cited Failures / Concerns Across Agencies

• Inaccuracy and Bias: Biometric systems' variances in accuracy, especially facial recognition, raise concerns over racial and demographic biases.
• Privacy Risks: The collection and use of biometric data pose significant privacy risks, with large databases being attractive targets for malicious actors.
• Lack of Legal Framework: An overarching concern is the absence of comprehensive legislation to regulate the collection, use, and protection of biometric information.
• Misuse Potential: The risk of biometric data being misused by unauthorized parties, including government misuse for surveillance or control.
• Storage and Security: Concerns about how biometric data is stored, accessed, and secured against breaches.
• False Positives/Negatives: High rates of false acceptances or rejections by biometric systems, undermining security and accessibility.
• Consumer Consent: Issues surrounding the lack of clear consent mechanisms for the collection and use of biometric data.