Instagram starts requiring selfie or document for identity validation

Update (11/10/22) – JB

Instagram has started requiring new users to validate their identity using a selfie or even uploading a photo of an official document. The novelty had already been announced last month, but only now it goes into effect.

According to Meta, the idea behind the new functionality is to prevent under 13 can register on the social networksomething that has provoked a lot of controversy due to the content that is displayed in the application.

In addition, the number of fake accounts should drop considerably, as the feature must always certify that there is a real person on the other side of the screen.

The user’s captured image will not be stored permanently, and identification documents will remain in the database for up to 30 days.

Finally, teens who turn 18 or who change the age on their account must also pass ID verification.

Original text (10/14/22)

Meta launches identity validation on Instagram using artificial intelligence

Meta (formerly Facebook) recently announced that it will use artificial intelligence (AI) to validate the identity of Instagram users in Europe and India, countries where the social network has a considerable number of users. According to information from the developer, the function requires sending a selfie to confirm age from facial features.

This tool was developed by a startup enabling the application to scan the face and, with that, define whether or not the user is over 13 years old, the minimum age group to use the platform. With this information, it is possible to adjust security mechanisms to protect adolescents from publications and advertisements intended for adults.

Although this novelty is coming to the app, the company reinforces that users can still validate their identity by sending a photo document (RG or CNH) to verify the date of birth and authorize access or, if confirmed to be a child under the age of 13, prevent the creation of the record.

This new layer of security is intended to prevent teens from lying their age in settings to disable layers of protection such as the private profile, blocking direct messages from strangers, and more restrictions that do not apply to adults, such as profile supervision, for example. example.

Implementing AI to define a user’s age may not be the most accurate way to verify this information, as facial features can vary from person to person. This news is part of the developer’s efforts to prevent children and tweens who do not meet Instagram’s guidelines from using the service.