House GOP members want info on IRS’ alleged AI ‘financial surveillance’ of citizens

[Timber Rattler]

https://www.govexec.com/oversight/2024/03/house-gop-members-want-info-irs-alleged-ai-financial-surveillance-citizens/395170/

House Republicans increased their scrutiny of the IRS’ plans to deploy artificial intelligence to aid its enforcement efforts Wednesday, penning letters to both Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Attorney General Merrick Garland calling for more information on the agency’s use of the emerging technology.

Pointing to a Feb. 21 tweet from conservative filmmaker James O’Keefe — which alleges an employee of the agency’s Criminal Investigation Unit claimed that the IRS uses AI networks controlled by the “Department of Justice and the inspector general” to access U.S. citizens’ bank accounts — House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., cited their oversight roles to request information about the use of AI in revenue enforcement.

Jordan and Hageman, both members of the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, said because of the claims made by a man identified as Alex Mena, they are requesting information about the IRS’ AI usage dating back to Jan. 1, 2021.

“The Committee and Select Subcommittee have reason to believe that the IRS is working with other federal agencies to conduct this AI-powered warrantless financial surveillance,” the letter said. “Additionally, the Treasury Department's Feb. 28, 2024, press release makes clear that the Treasury Department's Office of Payment Integrity (OPI) has a 'strong partnership with federal law enforcement agencies,' which has 'led to multiple active cases and arrests.' These allegations are particularly concerning given the IRS's track record of targeting, harassing, and intimidating American taxpayers and journalists and history of ignoring due process requirements when investigating taxpayers.”

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