The General Services Administration (GSA) has taken a significant step toward ensuring equitable access to government services with its Equity Study of Remote Identity Proofing. This study, conducted in collaboration with Easy Dynamics and the Center for Identification and Technology Research (CITER), evaluates how ethnicity, race, gender, and income affect identity-proofing processes. The findings are expected to influence the development of more inclusive digital identity verification technologies and policies.
Easy Dynamics' Identity Verification API (IDVA) played a central role in the study, providing a secure platform for integrating and evaluating various biometric and non-biometric identity proofing tools. The study's focus on equitability aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration's President's Management Agenda (PMA) and the Executive Order on Racial Equity, highlighting the importance of removing barriers to government services for all demographics.
The research examined five vendors, assessing technologies such as facial matching and methods like phone-account ownership and personal information validation. This comprehensive approach aims to identify gaps in current technologies that may hinder fair access to digital services. Poupak Afshar, CEO of Easy Dynamics, emphasized the study's significance, noting the company's commitment to privacy-enhancing technologies and equitable digital identity solutions.
As government services increasingly move online, the study's outcomes could have profound implications for policy decisions, technology implementations, and service designs. The tech industry may also need to adapt, investing in more inclusive solutions to meet evolving standards. The GSA and Easy Dynamics' collaboration exemplifies the essential role of public-private partnerships in addressing societal challenges in the digital age.
The Equity Study on Remote Identity Proofing underscores the necessity of ongoing evaluation of identity technologies to ensure fairness. With digital transactions becoming more prevalent, the insights from this study will be crucial in shaping a more inclusive digital future, ensuring that all citizens have equitable access to government services.
