X, formerly known as Twitter, is developing a method for users to verify their identity, reports indicate.
The ID verification process includes submitting a selfie and uploading a government-issued ID.
App researcher Nima Owji first uncovered the unreleased X feature and shared a screenshot of the ID verification process.
“X keeps working on the ID verification. You should upload a photo of your ID and take a live selfie,” Owji wrote.
“I consent to X sharing images of my ID, including biometric data, and personal data from my profile with Au10tix for the purpose of confirming my identity. I also consent to X storing my ID images, including biometric data, for up to 30 days and using it and data from my profile for the purposes of safety and security, including preventing impersonation,” the screenshot read.
#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, who often uncovers unreleased features in X, first spotted an ‘ID verified’ badge on Musk’s profile earlier this month. Now, he’s discovered an in-app message detailing how it works, suggesting that it may be getting closer to an official launch,” Engadget reports.
By submitting to the ID verification process, X users consent to allowing the platform to share their personal data, government-issued ID, and biometrics with a third-party “identity intelligence” company.
Engadget reports:
The fine print notes that information shared for verification will be seen by Au10tix as well as X. X will keep “ID images, including biometric data, for up to 30 days” and will use the information “for the purposes of safety and security, including preventing impersonation.”
An Au10tix representative didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. The company’s website advertises “8-second verification without even partial human involvement” and “first-of-a-kind tech detecting synthetic fraud patterns globally.” The company says it’s previously worked with companies like Google, PayPal and Uber.
X didn’t respond to a request for comment. But the feature suggests the company is looking for new ways to combat impersonation on the platform. Right now, X offers verified status to anyone paying for an X Premium (formerly known as Twitter Blue) subscription.
According to PCMag, Au10tix is an identity verification company based in Israel.
X will begin to have users verify their identity by having them submit a selfie alongside a government issued ID. The process requires users to consent to X storing their information for 30 days and sharing it with AU10TIX, an identity verification company based in Israel. pic.twitter.com/0NrDNEguWU
— PCMag (@PCMag) August 18, 2023
PCMag writes:
Elon Musk’s X account showed ID verification confirmation back on Aug. 1, suggesting that the ID verification system is already working and should therefore appear publicly soon. However, it remains to be seen how many X users will be willing to share this amount of personal information with the service, especially as a third-party will have access to the data.
The other decision X users need to make, is whether they are willing to give Elon Musk their money in return for the new version of Twitter Blue?
Au10tix fully supports the digital ID agenda.
"X" is moving forward with a new ID confirmation system which would require users to upload a selfie and gov't ID. The creepy part? It's outsourcing the task to an Israeli face-recognition company "AU10tix" who openly advocates for digital IDs. 👇
How much do you trust Elon? pic.twitter.com/OIomNvQN5T
— Jason Bassler (@JasonBassler1) August 18, 2023
🚨 👀 X is seemingly working on adding government ID verification with Israeli digital ID company AU10TIX. To verify by ID, users will have to upload a selfie and a photo of their government ID. via @X_ALERTS_ pic.twitter.com/gXTChLeFWJ
— Reclaim The Net (@ReclaimTheNetHQ) August 16, 2023
AU10TIX is a subsidiary of ICTS, founded by former agents of Israel’s Shin Bet general security service.
ICTS exports Israel’s model of profiling to airports around the world, and was responsible for allowing the underwear bomber and shoe bomber to board flights. @elonmusk https://t.co/D7o2zjUeZD
— Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) August 20, 2023
Au10tix writes:
Digital identities have been making waves lately as a potential game-changer in replacing traditional documents such as passports and driving licenses. These systems offer convenience and improved security, presenting an opportunity to revolutionize identification processes. However, their global adoption has been slow due to concerns and challenges in implementation. In this post, let’s dive into the world of digital IDs, explore their current usage, analyze the factors hindering widespread adoption, and discuss their promising future.
Digital IDs and Their Benefits
Digital IDs are electronic representations of individuals’ identity information, allowing them to access services and prove their identity digitally.
The “identity intelligence” company lists the following ‘advantages’ of digital IDs:
- Convenience
- Security
- Improved efficiency
While the company and naïve consumers will see these as ‘advantages,’ digital IDs benefit governments and corporations for control and surveillance.
Au10tix provided examples of digital IDs in various countries.
“While the United States has been relatively slow in adopting digital identities nationally, progress is being made at the state and local levels and in specific sectors,” the company writes.
Investigative reporter Whitney Webb shared her concerns about X’s impending ID verification process.
“It will only get worse from here,” Webb said.
It will only get worse from here. Just say no to the anti-anonymity agenda. https://t.co/Yq6IDBGzrF
— Whitney Webb (@_whitneywebb) August 20, 2023
“Won’t it be great when this rolls out + your account is tied to your govt Id and your biometric data. Anyone telling you this isn’t alarming and telling you to verify and subscribe to them on here for their content is a shill and/or addicted to Twitter ad $,” Webb said in another post.
“This is the part where the smarter frogs start to realize that it’s time to jump out of the pot.”
This is the part where the smarter frogs start to realize that it's time to jump out of the pot
— Whitney Webb (@_whitneywebb) August 20, 2023
“The id verification should be the red line for anyone who seriously cares about opposing the digital ID cbdc slavery system,” Webb said.
The id verification should be the red line for anyone who seriously cares about opposing the digital ID cbdc slavery system
— Whitney Webb (@_whitneywebb) August 20, 2023
It’s critical to constantly remind readers Elon Musk’s eventual goal for X/Twitter is to become the “everything app,” similar to China’s WeChat.
The Chinese Communist Party utilizes WeChat for its social credit system, which recently expanded the usage of digital ID and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
Musk said WeChat is a “good model.”
WATCH:
Elon Musk, when he was pursuing purchase of Twitter: ‘We Chat is a good model. If you live in China, you live on We Chat. It does everything. A Western We Chat needs to exist, whether Twitter is converted or start something new. It needs to happen somehow’ pic.twitter.com/TBoTVysk00
— Maurice Pinay (@MauricePinay) August 10, 2023
“My idea would be like how about if we just copy WeChat. Copy them,” Musk said.
“It’s WeChat and Alipay, who built the world first COVID track app and digital/QR code vaccine passport,” said Songpinganq.
“Chinese people were literally on their knees, begging Chinese officials to scan/verify their QR codes/vaccine passport.”
It's WeChat and Alipay, who built the world first COVID track app and digital/QR code vaccine passport.
Chinese people were literally on their knees, begging Chinese officials to scan/verify their QR codes/vaccine passport.https://t.co/kmnX4sFPy4 pic.twitter.com/3uSFKTw2Ek
— Songpinganq (@songpinganq) July 24, 2023
What does X/Twitter require to become the “everything app?”
ID verification!