Has the Trump Administration made strides in digital identity management?
The issue of digital identity fraud, particularly in federal benefits programs, has been a significant concern due to the exposure of personally identifiable information following data breaches. As a solution, experts suggest that the best strategies within the federal government involve private sector partnership and collaboration.
Jordan Burris, Head of Public Sector at Socure, emphasizes the importance of state partners and private sector input for the success of a national digital identity strategy. He believes that the Trump administration has an opportunity to develop a cohesive approach to tackling digital identity issues.
One of the key initiatives taken by the Trump Administration is the expansion of Login.gov, a government-wide single sign-on and identity verification service. This service, used by over 50 federal and state agencies, now allows users to verify their identity online using a U.S. passport in addition to driver’s licenses or state ID cards. The process includes biometric verification where users submit a selfie to match with their official ID photo. In-person identity verification at some post offices is also available if needed.
The use of passport records for verification enhances trustworthiness and diminishes reliance on less reliable credit bureau data. This initiative is part of broader anti-fraud efforts led by Trump appointees at the General Services Administration (GSA).
The Trump Administration has also issued an executive order, "America by Design", which focuses on improving government digital services and user experience. While this effort primarily targets website and service design improvements, it complements identity proofing initiatives by making government interactions more secure and user-friendly.
Jordan Burris believes that while AI adoption is a priority for modernizing federal services, its direct impact on digital identity fraud is less explicitly detailed. However, the primary digital identity fraud interventions described revolve around the strengthening of identity proofing mechanisms in platforms like Login.gov.
In summary, the Trump Administration's approach to digital identity strategy for federal agencies involves enhancing identity proofing and anti-fraud capabilities through platforms like Login.gov. This approach is aimed at reducing identity fraud in public programs by using more authoritative government records for verification rather than relying heavily on credit bureaus.
As the focus on disrupting benefits delivery and federal operations by impersonating good people online has increased among nation-states and other groups, it is expected that the Trump administration will take further action to address digital identity issues.
Digital identity is foundational to how we interact in a digital world, enabling people, organizations, and devices to authenticate and authorize themselves across online and offline services. It encompasses personal identifiers, biometrics, and digital credentials. The state of digital identity in the public sector, particularly in federal government agencies, has been an ongoing conversation for decades and is increasingly important for delivering services to the public.
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