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Social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) will now let paid users verify their accounts using a government ID in a bid to prevent impersonation and \u201cmaintain the integrity of the platform.\u201d According to X\u2019s updated verification policy<\/a> (first seen via TechCrunch<\/em><\/a>), the company may also request a government-issued ID \u201cwhen needed\u201d and is exploring additional measures to protect users from spam, malicious accounts, and content that isn\u2019t age-appropriate. The new verification system was first leaked back in August<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n A pop-up window for the feature notes that X is partnering with Israel-based verification company AU10TIX<\/a> to facilitate the new authorization feature. All verification information \u2014 including photographs of user IDs and \u201cextracted biometric data\u201d \u2014 may be stored by AU10TIX for up to 30 days. This may explain why X updated its privacy policy at the end of August <\/a>to include carveouts for \u201cbiometric information.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n ID verification benefits for X Premium subscribers will include a line that says \u201cthis account is ID verified\u201d when anyone clicks their blue checkmark and prioritized support from X services. Additional benefits like a simplified review process needed to obtain a blue checkmark and greater flexibility to make account changes (including profile photo, display name, and user handle) are also in development.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Users may be asked to reverify their account using a government-issued ID if the account\u2019s name or intended purpose is changed, if ownership of the account has been transferred to another user, if the account is inactive, or for undisclosed \u201csafety and security purposes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n X says it will also provide the option to use ID verification for \u201ccertain X features\u201d as a means to increase trust in its platform. The company didn\u2019t elaborate on what these features might entail but claims those who choose to participate could receive \u201cadditional benefits associated with the specific X feature\u201d in the future. These benefits will only be available to individual users, excluding business and organization accounts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n ID-based verification is currently available in \u201cnumerous countries,\u201d but X did not elaborate on specific locations. It does not currently include the European Union, the European Economic Area, or the UK, however, likely because these regions have strict data protection laws. X says it\u2019ll extend ID verification to these regions \u201csoon.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n