The US government is reportedly considering a so-called “Identity Ecosystem” that, while promising to save time and money, has already riled privacy advocates worried about the government having too much biometric information at its disposal.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology awarded $2.4 million in grants to two states ($1.3 million to Michigan and $1.1 to Pennsylvania) to help them launch pilot programs aimed at testing “new online technologies to improve access to government services and the delivery of federal assistance programs to reduce fraud.”
While the programs differ in minor ways, each is essentially trying to help citizens who rely on public assistance but are overwhelmed by the application process. In Michigan, for instance, many people often have their benefits delayed because of a small mistake in enrollment or registration. Pennsylvania residents often find themselves in the same unfortunate situation, sometimes because they need to verify their identity multiple times, both in person and through paperwork.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology awarded $2.4 million in grants to two states ($1.3 million to Michigan and $1.1 to Pennsylvania) to help them launch pilot programs aimed at testing “new online technologies to improve access to government services and the delivery of federal assistance programs to reduce fraud.”
While the programs differ in minor ways, each is essentially trying to help citizens who rely on public assistance but are overwhelmed by the application process. In Michigan, for instance, many people often have their benefits delayed because of a small mistake in enrollment or registration. Pennsylvania residents often find themselves in the same unfortunate situation, sometimes because they need to verify their identity multiple times, both in person and through paperwork.
