SSA · no agency ID · record R3122

Digital Identity Verification Services

Social Security Administration · Chief Information Officer, Digital Customer Solutions

Overview

Development stage: DeployedSource: c) Deployed – The use case is being actively authorized or utilized to support the functions or mission of an agency.
High-impact designation: High-impactSource: a) High-impact
Impact justification: Not reported
Start date: 2020-06-05 (day precision)Source: 6/5/2020 0:00
Withheld from public reporting: NoSource: a) No

Mission

Topic area: Cybersecurity
Operational functions: Fraud, waste and improper payments, Biometrics and identity Derived by keyword rules; see methodology

Problem the AI is intended to solve

The AI is intended to solve the problem of securely verifying and authenticating individuals’ identities online, ensuring that users can prove and share their identity safely for digital services.

Expected benefits

The expected benefits of the AI include reducing identity theft and fraud, ensuring compliance with security standards, increasing operational efficiency by minimizing manual reviews, enabling users to access multiple services with a single verification, and improving access for underserved populations through alternative verification methods.

System outputs

The AI system produces verification results, risk indicators for suspicious activity, authentication logs, real-time fraud alerts, user analytics, and compliance reports to support audits and regulatory needs.

Technology

AI classification: Computer visionSource: Computer Vision: AI that processes and interprets visual data (e.g., images and videos).
System name(s): Digital Identity
Custom-developed code: No
Public source code: Not reported

Sourcing

How it was built: Purchased from vendorSource: a) Purchased from a vendor
Vendor (as reported): ID.me
Vendors (standardized): None on the standard list

A vendor is the supplier named by the agency. It does not identify the underlying model or AI technology.

Data and privacy

Involves PII: No
Privacy Impact Assessment: www.ssa.gov ↗
Authorization to Operate: Yes
Demographic features: Not reported
Training and evaluation data: No SSA data is used to train the model
Federal Data Catalog: Not reported

Governance

4 of 8 minimum-practice questions answered. A blank answer means the agency reported nothing; it does not mean the practice is absent.

Pre-deployment testingNo answer reported

AI impact assessmentReported in progressSource: b) In-progress

Independent reviewNo answer reported

Ongoing monitoringNo answer reported

Operator trainingNo answer reported

Fail-safeReported in placeSource: a) Yes

Appeal processPrecluded by law or guidanceSource: d) Law, operational limitations, or governmentwide guidance precludes an opportunity for an individual to appeal

User and public consultationReported in placeSource: b) General solicitations of feedback and comments from the public

Potential impacts and how they were identified

The potential impacts of using the AI include the risk of unauthorized access if fraudulent actors are not properly identified, and the risk of legitimate users being denied access if they cannot verify their identity. These impacts are common to all digital identity systems and are identified through digital identity risk assessments, as required by relevant guidance.