X, the social networking platform, is extending its new ID verification offering to U.K.-based X Premium subscribers. Initially launched in September for U.S. users, this expansion enables users to confirm their identity through government-issued identification documents, such as licenses and passports.
By submitting these documents to X and their third-party verification partner, Au10tix, users become eligible for an additional verification element, the "ID Verified" marker, alongside the blue checkmark.
Following the successful implementation of the ID verification option with U.S. users, X is now providing this feature to its U.K. Premium subscribers. By offering a photo of their government-issued ID documents, which can include driver's licenses, passports, and other official photo identification, U.K. users can strengthen their account verification.
This new "ID Verified" marker is essential, as the blue checkmark alone no longer guarantees identification confirmation during the X Premium sign-up process. In the past, the former Twitter team overseeing the platform required some form of qualification for the blue checkmark, emphasizing its role as a "verification" symbol.
However, as X shifts its focus towards subscription-based revenue, this verification element has been altered. The company now relies on users providing a credit card and mobile phone number to establish "verified" profiles.
X's partnership with Au10tix is a strategic move aimed at bolstering the platform's ability to verify users' identities, particularly in line with X's owner, Elon Musk's, mission to combat bot accounts. Musk has made battling bots a top priority since his acquisition of X late last year. He has previously suggested that approximately 20% of X profiles were likely bots. This statistic, however, has been less frequently cited in recent times.
\Despite the rise in X's active user count since Musk's takeover, he acknowledges the ongoing issue of bots on the platform. Musk's continuous efforts to introduce new strategies to combat bots indicate that the problem persists. The need for enhanced ID verification and ongoing measures against bot proliferation remains a key focus for the platform.
X is a social media platform.
X has recently expanded its third-party ID verification program to UK Premium subscribers.
The ID verification program allows users to verify their identity and receive an "ID Verified" marker.
X is partnering with Au10tix to verify user identities.
X owner Elon Musk is committed to reducing the number of bots on the platform.
Conclusion:
X's expansion of its third-party ID verification program to UK Premium subscribers is a positive development. The program could help to reduce the number of bots on the platform and make X a more authentic platform.