It’s becoming more difficult than ever to determine whether a profile on social media is a real person or a fake identity created with the help of AI. Amid this growing concern, Facebook has introduced a new, free Verified Badge for users. This feature allows users to verify their identity with a short selfie video, which will be visible to others.

Facebook’s new Verified Badge differs from existing verification systems. Blue ticks or other badges are typically associated with celebrities, public figures, or paid subscriptions. The new feature focuses on verifying the identity of ordinary users. Users eligible for verification will need to record a short selfie video.

Facebook will compare the face in this video with the photos on the profile. This process is intended to verify whether the profile is operated by a real person. According to the company, this process is free and usually takes a few minutes.

Which users will receive the Verified Badge?

To take advantage of this feature, users must be at least 18 years old and have a good account record. Profiles with a history of complaints or actions to fraud, scams, or other deceptive activity may be excluded from verification. Currently, this feature is not available for Facebook Pages and Professional Mode profiles. The company primarily designed this feature to make individual users’ identities more trustworthy.

The badge will appear in these places

Once verification is complete, the Verified Badge will appear in areas of Facebook where users frequently connect with new people or conduct transactions. This includes Facebook Profiles, Marketplace Listings, Facebook Dating Profiles, and Facebook Groups. The company plans to display this badge in Feed Posts in the future.

This means that when viewing the account of a Marketplace seller, Dating Profile, or Group member, users will be able to determine whether the person has completed Selfie Verification of their identity. According to Facebook, users only need to verify their identity once. After this, no separate subscription or fee will be required, and the badge will automatically appear in the supported section.

The Verified Badge Does Not Mean a Guarantee of Absolute Trustworthiness

Facebook has also clarified that the Verified Badge should not be considered a guarantee of a person’s behavior or all their claims. This badge only indicates that the identity of a real person behind the account has been confirmed. Verified accounts must also comply with Facebook’s Community Standards and Commerce Policies. If a verified person violates the platform’s rules, action can be taken against them. This means that verification does not exempt a user from these rules.

Concerns about Fake Profiles Growing in the Era of AI

Facebook’s move comes at a time when it is becoming easier to create fake photos, fake identities, and automated chats with the help of AI. This is making it difficult for social media users to identify whether they are interacting with a real person or a fake profile. The company says the new Verified Badge will provide users with additional information during online conversations and transactions. However, Facebook has also indicated that the badge should not be considered a definitive proof of trust.

Rollout Begins in Select Countries

Facebook has currently begun rolling out this feature in a phased manner in select countries. It may be made available to users in other countries in the future. Amid the growing challenge of AI-enabled fake content and fake accounts, Facebook’s new system is an attempt to help users understand the identity of profiles. The company hopes that the Verified Badge, based on Selfie Verification, will increase trust in the identity of real people on social media.