Meta has launched a verification subscription feature on Instagram and Facebook called Meta Verified. Mark Zuckerberg made the announcement on Sunday, February 19th in a Facebook post.
The new subscription similar to Twitter’s will allow users verify their accounts with a government issued ID and get a blue badge.
Highlighting the need for this new service in his announcement, Zuckerberg said, “this feature is about increasing authenticity and security across our services.” Other features of the paid service include extra impersonation protection on the user’s account and a direct access to customer support.
Monthly subscription plan of Meta Verified will cost $11.99 on the web and $14.99 on iOS. The announcement did not mention when the service will be available for Android users.
With the additional impersonation protection, this new service should be an effective solution to the problem of fake accounts which has been a headache for many Facebook and Instagram users.
Responding to a comment on the Facebook Post where he made the announcement, Zuckerberg said, “Once you’ve verified your account with a government ID, we can more effectively find and remove any imposter accounts since we know which account is the real you.”
To get Verified, subscribers will have to match a government given ID document and must have a profile picture that includes their face. According to reports, Meta has clarified in a statement that there will be no changes to accounts that are already verified.
A Meta spokesperson was reported to have said “we are evolving the meaning of the blue badge to focus on authenticity so we can expand verification access to more people”
Zuckerberg in his Facebook post announced that Meta Verified is rolling out first in New Zealand and Australia this week and will be available in other countries soon.