X attempts to fight impersonation with government ID verification

X is taking a bold step in the battle against impersonation by introducing government ID verification for its paid X Premium subscribers. This move comes on the heels of hints dropped back in August, and TechCrunch has now confirmed its launch. The service, while currently optional, has made its debut in “numerous countries,” including the United States. However, it’s worth noting that it’s not available yet in the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or the United Kingdom.

In a recent update on their help center page, X has stated that this verification process is primarily aimed at enhancing safety and security on the platform while putting a stop to impersonation attempts. Furthermore, there are hints that it might be leveraged to filter age-appropriate content down the line. In return for undergoing this verification process, users will enjoy several perks, including prioritized customer support. Plus, they’ll sport a visible label indicating that their identity has been confirmed, although this badge only becomes visible if someone clicks on the enigmatic blue checkmark. Down the road, X plans to fast-track Premium reviews for users who have successfully undergone the ID verification process.

What’s particularly interesting is that X has joined forces with Au10tix, an Israeli-based company with a specialization in identity verification. To go through this verification process, you’ll need to consent to a form that permits both “X and Au10tix [to use] images of my ID and my selfie, including extracted biometric data, to confirm my identity and for X’s related safety and security purposes, including preventing impersonation.” Notably, Au10tix may retain this data for up to 30 days.

It’s worth recalling that after Elon Musk’s acquisition of X (formerly Twitter), he made it clear that the verification program would undergo a transformation, reserving those coveted badges exclusively for paying users. However, this revamped program encountered teething problems right from the start. Issues like rampant impersonation and checkmarks erroneously awarded to scammers and bots forced X to rethink its approach. Consequently, verification marks were later extended to encompass large organizations and users with substantial followings.

X itself isn’t directly conducting ID checks, except for certain safeguards applicable to verified organizations. Meanwhile, Au10tix is touting its ability to achieve “8-second verification without even partial human involvement” and boasts about pioneering technology capable of detecting synthetic fraud patterns on a global scale. The company’s track record includes collaborations with tech giants like Google, PayPal, and Uber.

It’s also worth mentioning that X made some alterations to its data collection policy last month, allowing the platform to gather specific user information. However, X’s history with regard to privacy has been somewhat checkered. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently voiced concerns that Elon Musk’s involvement with X “may have jeopardized data privacy and security.” This concern led to an ongoing investigation into both the company and Musk, which reportedly commenced in March.

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• [TechCrunch Report](insert link here)
• [X Help Center](insert link here)
• [Au10tix Official Website](insert link here)
• [Elon Musk’s Acquisition of X](insert link here)
• [FTC Investigation into X](insert link here)