Systems and methods for photo recognition-based identity authentication

A system comprising:

• at least one memory for storing data and computer-executable instructions;
• and at least one processor configured to access the at least one memory and further configured to execute the computer-executable instructions that cause the at least one processor to:
• receive a set of identity information associated with a user;
• query one or more databases with at least a portion of the set of identity information;
• receive, in response to the query, independent personally identifiable information (PII) associated with the user,
• retrieve, based at least in part on the PII, one or more target images having a connection to the PII, the one or more target images categorized by subject classification;
• retrieve a set of control images having subject classifications corresponding to the one or more target images;
• send, for display on a computing device associated with the user, the one or more target images and the corresponding set of control images with instructions for user selection;
• receive, responsive to the sending, a selection response;
• and
• responsive to receiving one or more correct selection responses, send, for display on the computing device associated with the user, an indication of authentication.