---
date: 2020-01-11
title: In the United States Public Sector
description:
excerpt:
permalink: /government/usa/
canonical_url: 'https://decentralized-id.com/government/usa/'
categories: ["Government"]
tags: ["USA","California","Illinois","Wyoming","Verifiable Credentials","DHS","W3C"]
last_modified_at: 2023-06-06
---
## Digital Identity
* [Jeremy Grant @jgrantindc](https://twitter.com/jgrantindc/status/1567531428707024899) 2022-09-07
> USCIS make public announcement about their plants to use Verifiable Credentials for Immigration credentials
>
> Very interesting #FedID presentation on @USCIS plans for digital immigration credentials. Looking to use the @w3c Verifiable Credentials standard - this may be the first use of VCs at scale in the US government.
* [Great to see USCIS speaking publicly at the the #FedID Conference last week](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/aniljohn_fedid-activity-6974431929118924800-oOu7?trk=public_profile_like_view) 2022-10
> (https://lnkd.in/eWSc3RYA) about how digital immigration credentials using W3C Verifiable Credentials and W3C Decentralized Identifiers are a critical part of their ongoing work on digitizing the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration processes!
* [US Digital Immigration Credentials Overview](https://www.slideshare.net/aniltj/us-digital-immigration-credentials-overview) 2022-12-13
> USCIS Presentation at the 2022 Fed ID Conference on Using W3C VCs and W3C DIDs for Digital Immigration Credentials
* [Foster Introduces Bipartisan Digital Identity Legislation](https://foster.house.gov/media/press-releases/foster-introduces-bipartisan-digital-identity-legislation) 2020-08-11
> - Establish a task force made up of key federal agencies and state representatives.
> - Direct NIST to create a new framework of standards to guide agencies in implementing identity systems.
> - Establish a grant program within the DHS to support states in upgrading.
* [January Walker (UT04) on the Future of Self-Sovereign Identity](https://web3domains.com/january-walker-ut04-on-the-future-of-self-sovereign-identity/) Web3 Domains
> There are so many things that build into your identity and you’ll take all this information and it’ll be issued to you through a decentralized ID. These wallets will have layers of protection that protect your information, like your Social Security number or your birth certificate, or your marriage license. You’ll have this extra layer of protection when you need to prove your identity, and this could apply to a passport as well.
* [A Collaborative Approach to Meeting the Challenges in President Biden’s Executive Order on Improving US Cybersecurity](https://www.oasis-open.org/2021/06/14/a-collaborative-approach-to-meeting-the-challenges-in-president-bidens-executive-order-on-improving-us-cybersecurity/) 2021-06-14
> One key aspect outlined in Section 4 of the Executive Order (EO) is securing the software supply chain. At issue here is the reality that the U.S. federal government—like nearly any other organization on the planet that uses computer technology in any form—relies on not just one but numerous types of software to process data and run operational equipment.
## Personal Data Privacy
* [2 Signs the US is Getting Tougher on Data Privacy Regulation](https://anonyome.com/2022/09/2-signs-the-us-is-getting-tougher-on-data-privacy-regulation/) 2022-09 Anonyme
> I know almost everyone can probably find something that they wished were different in the bill [ADPPA]. On the other hand, I do think we have a band-aid for the American people who are just fed up with the lack of privacy online
* [What is the American Data Privacy and Protection Act?](https://identityreview.com/what-adppa-american-data-privacy-protection-act/) 2022-06-20 IdentityReview
> If a business has had an annual revenue less than “$41 million, did not collect or process the data of more than 100,000 individuals, and did not derive more than 50% of revenue from transferring personal information” in the last three years, they are not considered a covered entity in this bill.
* [Executive Order on Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets](https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/03/09/executive-order-on-ensuring-responsible-development-of-digital-assets/) White House - President Biden
> We must promote access to safe and affordable financial services. Many Americans are underbanked and the costs of cross-border money transfers and payments are high. The United States has a strong interest in promoting responsible innovation that expands equitable access to financial services, particularly for those Americans underserved by the traditional banking system, including by making investments and domestic and cross-border funds transfers and payments cheaper, faster, and safer, and by promoting greater and more cost-efficient access to financial products and services. The United States also has an interest in ensuring that the benefits of financial innovation are enjoyed equitably by all Americans and that any disparate impacts of financial innovation are mitigated.
* [A US National Privacy Law Looks More Likely Than Ever](https://anonyome.com/2021/04/a-us-national-privacy-law-looks-more-likely-than-ever/)
- [Consumer Online Privacy Rights Act (COPRA)](https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/COPRA%20Bill%20Text.pdf) (Democrats)
> Sponsored in November 2019 by Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington, this bill is [considered by some](https://www.darkreading.com/endpoint/what-a-federal-data-privacy-law-would-mean-for-consumers/a/d-id/1340433) to be “GDPR-esque” and more consumer than business friendly.
- [Setting an American Framework to Ensure Data Access, Transparency and Accountable Ability Act (SAFE DATA Act)](https://www.commerce.senate.gov/services/files/BD190421-F67C-4E37-A25E-5D522B1053C7)) (GOP)
> Combining three previous bills, the SAFE DATA Act is [considered by some](https://www.darkreading.com/endpoint/what-a-federal-data-privacy-law-would-mean-for-consumers/a/d-id/1340433) as more “business friendly”.
- [Information Transparency and Personal Data Control Act](https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2740) –
> Re-introduced by Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) for the fourth time (the latest on March 10, 2021), [this bill](https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2740) “… protects personal information including data relating to financial, health, genetic, biometric, geolocation, sexual orientation, citizenship and immigration status, Social Security Numbers, and religious beliefs. It also keeps information about children under 13 years of age safe. ”Beyond this it requires businesses to write their privacy policies in simple language.“
## Biometrics
* [Utah State Legislature Passes Facial Recognition Bill](https://findbiometrics.com/utah-state-legislature-passes-facial-recognition-bill-030504/)
> The Utah bill, on the other hand, allows public agencies to use facial recognition as long as certain guidelines are followed. Most notably, law enforcement officers must submit a written request before performing a facial recognition search, and must be able to provide a valid reason for doing so.
## FTC
* [FTC proposed consent order prohibits perpetual retention of personal information](https://www.dataprotectionreport.com/2023/03/ftc-proposed-consent-order-prohibits-perpetual-retention-of-personal-information/) 2023-03-26
> We had previously written about an FTC proposed consent order that would prohibit a company from perpetual retention of personal health information. On March 2, 2023, the FTC announced a complaint and proposed consent with BetterHelp, Inc. that would prohibit the company from perpetual retention of personal information—a broader category. Also unlike the previous matter, the FTC did not cite to the health breach notification requirements, but instead included claims only under Section 5 of the FTC Act. Under the proposed consent, BetterHelp would pay $7.8 million, which the FTC may use for consumer redress. In the Matter of BetterHelp, Inc., FTC File No. 2023169 (Mar. 2, 2023).
* [FTC weighs new rules to protect Americans’ personal data](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/aug/11/ftc-new-rules-personal-data-secuirty) 2022-08-11 Guardian
> The FTC is issuing an advanced notice of proposed rule-making to address commercial surveillance, the “business of collecting, analyzing, and profiting from information about people”. [...] The public can offer input on the FTC notice and the commission will hold a virtual public forum on 8 September.
* [FTC announces Ed Tech prohibited from common data collection and monetization](https://me2ba.org/ftc-prohibits-data-collection-and-monetization-edtech/) 2022-05-26 Me2BA
> Specifically, the FTC will be more closely monitoring all companies covered by the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA), with particular attention to ed tech, to ensure that children have access to educational tools without being subject to surveillance capitalism.
* [FTC on Commercial Surveillance and Data Security Rulemaking](https://identitywoman.net/ftc-on-commercial-surveillance-and-data-security-rulemaking/) 2022-02-08 IdentityWoman
> There is a very real risk that because two companies control the mobile handset operating systems – Apple and Google – the will work to limit access to the APIs within the phone preventing any wallets created by other companies working well.
>
> This doesn’t have to happen and the risk of it happening will be reduced if the FTC gets involved to ensure a level playing field for wallet makers – and ensuring consumers will have a choice of who they trust with the sensitive data about who they transact with across the digital world. Thank you.
## Crypto
* [The Infrastructure Bill and What it Holds for Crypto](https://selfkey.org/the-infrastructure-bill-and-what-it-holds-for-crypto/) 2021-08-30 SelfKey Foundation
> Reports state that an amendment to the bill is unlikely when it is discussed during the autumn session. Moreover, the treasury has reportedly said it would provide clarifying guidance after the bill is passed to allow exemptions to firms that do not actually operate as brokers. The reported clarification from the Treasury is potentially a welcome sign that would improve the morale of the crypto community regarding the proposed bill.
* [New Directions for Government in the Second Era of the Digital Age](https://www.blockchainresearchinstitute.org/new-directions-for-government-in-the-second-era-of-the-digital-age/) 2021-02-05 Kuppinger Cole
> The [Blockchain Research Institute™](https://www.blockchainresearchinstitute.org/), in collaboration with the Washington DC based [Chamber of Digital Commerce](https://digitalchamber.org/) and other experts have produced a 120-page report on how the Biden-Harris administration could reimagine US technology strategy and policy—and take action to implement it.
## IRS
* [IRS Using Facial Scanning](https://www.windley.com/archives/2022/01/irs_using_facial_scanning.shtml) Phil Windley
> The IRS will use ID.me's authentication and identity proofing service exclusively starting sometime this summer. The identity proofing portion employs facial scanning by a third party, causing some concern.
* [IRS Will Soon Require Selfies for Online Access](https://krebsonsecurity.com/2022/01/irs-will-soon-require-selfies-for-online-access/) Krebs on Security
> If you created an online account to manage your tax records with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), those login credentials will cease to work later this year. The agency says that by the summer of 2022, the only way to log in to irs.gov will be through ID.me
* [THE IRS AND ID.ME: PRIVACY OPTIONAL](https://trustoverip.org/blog/2022/02/15/the-irs-and-id-me-privacy-optional/) Trust Over IP
> While it is not clear why the IRS would relinquish this extremely sensitive capability in its entirety to a single, private-sector entity using a proprietary solution, there are clues
## New York
* [Excelsior Pass Plus to be recognized out of state, internationally](https://www.wgrz.com/article/news/local/excelsior-pass-plus-to-be-recognized-out-of-state-internationally/71-434f8c6f-cbac-4d61-a732-ac0e0769efa3) WGRZ
> Excelsior Pass Plus will be compatible with the globally recognized SMART Health Cards Framework developed by VCI. VCI is a coalition of 570 public and private organizations including major health networks and Microsoft.
## California
* [Blockchain in California](https://www.govops.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2020/07/BWG-Final-Report-2020-July1.pdf)
> Blockchain technology has captured the attention of individuals far beyond the circles of computer scientists and cryptocurrency enthusiasts that initially sparked its development. The themes of distributed authority, decentralized governance, self-sovereign identity, and data privacy appeal to those who favor reducing hierarchy and increasing personal agency. The field has evolved in recent years to explore applications in the public sector and in private enterprise where regulation is a consideration.
* [CA’s 2020 Blockchain Legislative Roundup](https://blockadvocacy.medium.com/cas-2020-blockchain-legislative-roundup-89cdd3bad25c)
> AB 2004 (Calderon, Whittier) marked the first time verifiable credentials saw legislative debate. The bill to allow the use of verifiable credentials for covid-19 test results and other medical records made it through both houses with bipartisan support. Due to state budget restraints, it was ultimately vetoed, however the concept gained significant legislative momentum quickly. We are actively working on our strategy for verifiable credentials policy next year.
### Illinois
* [illinoisblockchain.tech](https://illinoisblockchain.tech/)
* [Illinois Partners with Evernym to Launch Birth Registration Pilot](https://illinoisblockchain.tech/illinois-partners-with-evernym-to-launch-birth-registration-pilot-f2668664f67c)
> August 31, 2017 (Chicago/Salt Lake City) — Today the Illinois Blockchain Initiative announced its partnership with self-sovereign identity solutions leader Evernym, leveraging distributed ledger technology to provide secure digital identity solutions. The concept will augment work from the W3C’s Verifiable Claims Task Force and use the Sovrin Foundation’s distributed identity ledger to create a secure, “self-sovereign” identity for Illinois citizens during the birth registration process.
### Wyoming
* [2020 Select Committee on Blockchain, Financial Technology and Digital Innovation Technology](https://www.wyoleg.gov/Committees/2020/S19) - Click on 11/2/2020 meeting details, and find the discussion on Disclosure of private cryptographic keys @ 9:30 am.
## See Also
### [Department of Homeland Security]({{ site.baseurl }}/government/usa/dhs/)
The Department of Homeland Security began funding work into blockchain credentials around 2016 with it's Silicon Valley Innovation (SVIP) and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Programs