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Twitter is going to introduce a feature where it shows a badge to indicate that an account is ID verified, at least through a new leak.
Jane Manchun Wong, a software developer and a trusted source of gossip on the social media platform in the past, just shared this information in a tweet that we should, of course, regard with the usual skepticism that all rumors deserve.
Twitter is working to show you if an account is ID verified pic.twitter.com/t8Qo5uT0B9February 1, 2023
As you can see, the information is displayed next to the blue checkmark (which has been the subject of a lot of controversy lately, as you probably haven’t noticed).
Wong explains further (opens in new tab) the process of getting ID verified: “There will be a flow for uploading your legal ID and your selfie to confirm your identity.”
Analysis: Maybe make Twitter a less toxic place?
ID verification would obviously mean some level of assurance that each verified account is who they claim to be, and could have implications for reducing Twitter’s overall toxicity (which is definitely a problem). Attacking or trolling other users of the platform is generally done under the cover of anonymity, and with an ID-verified account, that would no longer be possible – with Twitter potentially delegating priority to unauthenticated posters eventually.
In the same vein, this can also be used as a weapon against disinformation, another serious problem that Twitter is grappling with. At least in theory, while just having your identity verified is no guarantee that an account holder won’t be a peddler of ‘fake news’ and the like – as we’ve seen there are plenty of people across all social media platforms who are happy to leave it completely, let’s say, dubious claims stand (at best).
If you’re concerned about privacy or other issues from entrusting Twitter with your ID information, you’re not alone. As a reply to Wong read, “Are the ID images stored on Twitter servers? Because Chucklehead just seems to walk by and take them out on a whim.
Wong assures (opens in new tab) us that, “A third party will handle that.”
This is all talk as if this is a foregone conclusion, which it most certainly isn’t. Check out this space…