Anthropic quietly launches Identity Verification, featuring Claude requiring passport upload and selfie

According to Dynamic Beating monitoring, Anthropic has released an identity verification policy page in the help center, stating that it is gradually implementing identity verification for "a few use cases." Users may be required to verify their identity when accessing specific features, triggering platform security checks, or undergoing compliance reviews. The page does not specify which features will trigger verification, and Anthropic has not formally announced this change through a blog or social media.

The verification process requires users to hold a physical government-issued ID (passport, driver's license, or national ID card), take a photo with their camera, and upload it. In some cases, a real-time selfie is also required. Screenshots, scanned copies, electronic IDs, and non-government IDs are not accepted. The verification partner is Persona Identities, and ID photos and selfies are stored in the Persona system. Anthropic states that it does not retain these images, and verification data is not used for model training.

Persona is a Silicon Valley identity verification company backed by Peter Thiel, which also provides verification services to ChatGPT and LinkedIn. However, privacy issues were reported in February this year. Cybernews reported that Persona accidentally exposed platform interfaces related to government surveillance. Verification data of Discord users was subsequently found to be leaked, leading to Discord publicly cutting ties with Persona. A Mashable investigation found that LinkedIn users verified through Persona could have their personal data shared with up to 17 companies. Anthropic states on the page that the choice of Persona was based on its "technical capabilities, privacy controls, and security measures."

This identity verification is separate from the recent age verification controversy. Around April 12, multiple users on Reddit reported being mistakenly flagged as minors by Claude, resulting in account bans. The verification provider used in that process was Yoti, not Persona.