The journey from Twitter to what is now known as X has been far from smooth. Among the many challenges encountered, one significant stumbling block was the Twitter Blue verification feature, leading to numerous cases of impersonation. In response, it seems that X is actively developing new ID verification features. The platform is currently focusing on an additional verification method, which involves users uploading a scanned copy of their government-issued ID and taking a selfie.
First Spotted on Elon Musk’s Own X Profile
The feature was first spotted by user X and app researcher Nima Owji, who shared a screenshot showcasing the new verification process. According to the screenshot, Twitter will now mandate users to submit a government-issued ID in addition to a selfie. This step aims to enhance security and user authentication on the platform.
#X keeps working on the ID verification. You should upload a photo of your ID and take a live selfie. https://t.co/3bdGgzlnZh pic.twitter.com/F4ssglakHR
— Nima Owji (@nima_owji) August 16, 2023
Owji first noticed X testing out this feature on none other than Elon Musk’s own X profile. The profile stated that “this account is ID verified” with an amusing detail, claiming it has been “verified since 3000 BCE” – a testament to the billionaire’s sense of humor. The accompanying screenshot also reveals that this process is expected to take approximately 5 minutes to complete.
Also Read: Twitter Blue subscribers will now be able to hide their blue checks
Company Behind The Verification Process
It also appears that X has partnered with Au10tix, a third-party “identity intelligence” company, for this feature. According to the fine print, Au10tix and X will both have access to the information shared for verification. X will retain “ID images, including biometric data, for a maximum of 30 days” and will utilize this information for safety and security purposes, including the prevention of impersonation.
Au10tix’s website boasts about its “8-second verification process without any human involvement” and its groundbreaking technology that detects synthetic fraud patterns on a global scale. Furthermore, the company proudly mentions past collaborations with industry giants such as Google, PayPal, and Uber.
Conclusion
X is actively exploring innovative approaches to address the challenge of impersonation on the platform. At present, the platform provides verified status exclusively to individuals with an X Premium subscription (formerly known as Twitter Blue). However, it is worth noting that verification has been susceptible to exploitation by various scammers, particularly those involved in cryptocurrency scams.
These individuals leverage the enhanced visibility provided by an X premium subscription to amplify their posts. While the effectiveness of optional identity checks in completely resolving these issues remains uncertain, their implementation could potentially facilitate the identification of certain scammers and impersonators.
