X to Implement ID Verification to Curb Impersonation

X seems to be developing new ID verification features, which comes after the company’s paid verification plans were disrupted by widespread impersonation a few months ago. As per a screenshot shared by app researcher Nima Owji, the platform is now focusing on an extra verification feature that mandates users to upload a government-issued ID copy and take a selfie.

Owji, who often reveals unreleased features on X, first noticed the “ID verified” badge on Musk’s profile earlier this month. Now he’s found an in-app message detailing how it works, suggesting it may be closer to an official release. “Verify your account by providing a government-issued ID,” it says. “This usually takes about 5 minutes.” It explains that users must submit a photo ID and a selfie.

It appears that X is partnering with third-party “identity information” company Au10tix in the feature. The small text notes that Au10tix and X can see the information shared for authentication. X retains “ID images, including biometrics, for up to 30 days” and uses the information “for security purposes, including preventing impersonation.”

A representative for Au10tix did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company’s website touts “8-second verification without even partial human intervention” and “the first technology to detect synthetic fraud patterns worldwide.” The company says that it has previously cooperated with companies such as Google, PayPal and Uber.

X did not respond to a request for comment. But the feature suggests the company is looking for new ways to combat impersonation on the platform. Currently, X offers verified status to anyone who pays for an X Premium (formerly Twitter Blue) subscription.

The company does not perform its own identity checks, although it has implemented some safeguards, such as the Verified Organizations feature. Some copycats have still managed to slip through. Authentication has also been exploited by numerous scammers, especially crypto scammers, who use the added visibility that comes with an X premium subscription to boost their posts. It’s unclear whether adding optional identity checks would completely solve these problems, but it could make it easier to identify some scammers and impersonators.