Why GAO Did This Study Facial recognition—a type of biometric technology—mimics how people identify or verify others by examining their faces. Recent
advancements have increased the accuracy of automated FRT resulting in increased use across a range of applications. As the use of FRT continues to expand, it has become increasingly important to understand its use across the federal government in a comprehensive way.
GAO was asked to review the extent of FRT use across the federal government. This report identifies and describes how agencies used FRT in fiscal year 2020, including any related research and development and interactions with non-federal entities, and how agencies plan to expand their use of FRT through fiscal year 2023.
GAO surveyed the 24 agencies of the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990, as amended, regarding their use of facial recognition technology. GAO also interviewed agency officials and reviewed documents, such as system descriptions, and information provided by agencies that reported using the technology.
