Why is GSA doing this study?
GSA is committed to combating bias. This research study will help us make sure government websites work for everyone.
To improve outreach practices, user testing, and user experience for underserved communities in civic tech design, we’re studying the equity of remote identity-proofing technologies that the American public may interact with when accessing government services and benefits.
GSA plans to release a report with the results from the study in a peer-reviewed publication in 2024. The report will present a statistical analysis of the performance of proofing checks and explore the causes behind any negative or inconclusive results. Once the report is published on GSA.gov, GSA will use the results to inform requirements for future procurements and studies.
What is remote identity proofing?
Identity proofing is the process of verifying who an individual says they are. Government agencies, financial institutions, and other organizations require some type of “proofing” before granting someone access to services. This is typically done by asking for documentation like a driver’s license, a passport, social security number, and address. The documentation and information provided is then verified against authoritative sources.
Remote identity proofing uses modern technology to streamline this process by:
- Using a mobile device to capture a picture of your government-issued identification and a face picture (selfie).
- Using machine-learning models to determine if the profile image from the government-issued identification matches the selfie and belongs to the same person. These models also include anti-fraud checks that determine if the identity document is legitimate by analyzing various aspects of the picture-taking process.
- Using the provided personal information to search for matches in consumer history and other records to validate identity.
What is the significance of a peer-reviewed study?
In academia, peer review helps assess and improve the quality of a paper. Before a paper or presentation can be published in a journal or conference, a group of experts in the field review and recommend changes to improve the quality of the article or presentation.
Submitting the results of the equity study as a peer-reviewed publication ensures GSA is meeting rigorous standards in our research efforts. By publishing in an academic setting, GSA also invites dialogue and conversations around important topics related to equity in technology.
Where is the data for this study being hosted? Is there an exchange of data between GSA and the vendor?
Participants provide demographic data and personal identifiable information (PII) via platforms hosted by GSA, limited to a set of GSA personnel. The vendors process the data and provide identity proofing results based on the PII. The proofing results, demographic data, and the PII are then stored securely at GSA; any information processed by the proofing vendors is removed from their systems within 24 hours.
Who has access to the data? Why?
GSA personnel and HSPD12, Tier-2 cleared contractors responsible for the technical project execution have access to all data so they can assist in the platform development and integration. GSA is also partnering with the Center for Identification Technology Research (CITeR) at Clarkson University to analyze the de-identified dataset.
GSA will store data according to the retention schedule for Customer Research and Reporting Records and any other applicable federal records schedules; this requires that certain records related to research studies be destroyed six (6) years after the end of the fiscal year in which the information was collected.
How were the vendors selected?
Vendors were selected based on their ability to meet requirements stated in the RFI, costs, and technological readiness.
What vendors are participating?
The required vendor information is posted within the Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA).
Who participated in the study?
U.S. residents 18 years and older with an eligible identity document (i.e., driver’s licenses and state-issued ID cards). Enough people participated to exceed the statistical significant minimums for all recruited demographic groups.
How did the researchers verify the identification of the study participants?
The equity study platform used a combination of facial matching (biometrics) and consumer history records to verify study participants.
What questions did you ask the study participants?
Participants answered questions about their race, ethnicity, gender, age, income, and educational level. Participants also submitted pictures of their government-issued identification document and a selfie along with their address and Social Security number.
When will the final study be published?
The findings of the final study will be published in fiscal year 2025 on GSA.gov.
What will GSA do with the results of the study?
The report will present a statistical analysis of the performance of proofing checks and explore the causes behind any negative or inconclusive results. GSA will publish the study and use the results to inform future efforts.
I’m interested in learning more about the equity study. Who should I contact?
Please send your questions to identityequitystudy@gsa.gov.
U.S. General Services Administration