X introduces government ID-based verification for paid users

X, formerly known as Twitter, has introduced government ID-based account verification for paid users, aiming to combat impersonation and offer benefits such as prioritised support. The social network has collaborated with Israel-based Au10tix for identity verification solutions, with the possibility that Au10tix could store the ID data for up to 30 days. While ID verification is available in various countries, it is currently not accessible in the EU, the European Economic Area (EEA), and the United Kingdom, likely due to stringent data protection laws. The effectiveness of the ID-based verification process is questionable, as it presently offers minimal benefits. The company plans to potentially age-gate certain content based on the age derived from the ID.

X prioritises account authentication to prevent impersonation and intends to explore additional measures to maintain the platform’s integrity and safeguard healthy conversations. Verified users will have a note on their profile stating that their government ID was verified, but this note is only visible when clicking on the blue checkmark. While users with ID verification will receive prioritised support from X Services, the specifics of this support remain unclear.

Interestingly, X recently allowed paid users to hide their checkmarks from their profiles, leading to inconsistencies in verification policies. X plans to expedite the review process for checkmarks if users verify their IDs, and verified users will be allowed to make frequent changes to their names, usernames, or profile photos without losing the checkmark. However, it is worth noting that ID-based verification is only offered to paid users, creating a paradox for a platform claiming to prioritise security and authenticity.

Why does it matter?

In the past, Twitter discontinued its verification program only to reinstate the checkmark for top accounts due to the ensuing chaos. X’s privacy policy update now allows capturing users’ biometric data, education, and job history to tie funds to real individuals and enhance security by combating impersonation attempts. Nonetheless, concerns about privacy and data protection persist.