Today, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee leaders sent a letter to Dr. Laurie Locascio, Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), regarding its updated Digital Identity Guidelines and how they can help federal agencies address concerns with the use of facial recognition technologies.
In the letter, Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK), Research and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Collins (R-GA), and Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Jay Obernolte (R-CA) noted concerns with the reliability, accuracy, and security of facial recognition technologies.
“Despite the many advantages of face recognition technologies, their trustworthiness has long been questioned, particularly as it relates to personal privacy issues. There have also been concerns raised about the accuracy of face recognition technology and the use of biometrics to authenticate a user,” the members said.
The proper use and application of NIST’s Digital Identity Guidelines can help address these concerns and are crucial for federal agencies, providing essential direction on strengthening and securing access to their digital services. These guidelines encompass using facial recognition to access personal, proprietary, or government information.
As a second public draft of the Digital Identity Guidelines was recently published, the members request in the letter that NIST share the findings of its digital identity and face recognition technology work and explain how the Guidelines work to alleviate concerns about facial recognition technologies. This information is requested no later than October 22, 2024.
Read the full letter to Director Locascio here.