As individuals increasingly access services online, businesses and individuals need the confidence that individuals are who they say they are.  Verifying individuals’ digital identities protects individuals and businesses from identity fraud and increases access to services. Reliance on knowledge-based verification systems place individuals and businesses at risk for identity fraud due to data breaches exposing individuals’ personal data.  Unfortunately, the authoritative identity systems in the U.S. are largely stuck in a paper world and cannot be easily used online.

  • The U.S. should look for ways to collaborate and harmonize frameworks, standards, and requirements as they evolve globally.
  • The U.S. government should cease using the Social Security number (SSN) as an authenticator.
  • The Social Security Administration (SSA) should offer individuals the ability to validate the name, SSN, and date of birth they are providing match agency records. While the SSA currently offers the ability for financial transactions through the electronic Consent Based SSN Verification system, TechNet supports expanding this capability beyond the financial services sector.
  • Federal agencies should look to the private sector as a resource and partner for developing innovative solutions to digital identity verification services those agencies provide. Federal agencies should explore additional attribute validation services they can provide.
  • TechNet recognizes the variety and evolving nature of approaches to verifying an individual online and does not support efforts to block any approach.

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