Meta’s Facebook has introduced its own verification program, known as Meta Verified, which grants users access to a blue check mark and exclusive features similar to Twitter’s paid offering. The subscription service, announced in February, allows people to verify their identity by submitting a government-issued ID.
Meta launches verification program ‘Meta Verified’
The purpose of Meta Verified is to help users prove they are who they claim to be and to provide added protection against impersonation accounts. In addition, subscribers receive proactive account protection from hackers, as well as various exclusive features, including stickers on Facebook, Instagram Stories, and Facebook Reels, and 100 Stars per month to show support for creators. Subscribers will also have direct account support from customer service.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated that the service is “a subscription service that lets you verify your account with a government ID, get a blue badge, get extra impersonation protection against accounts claiming to be you, and get direct access to customer support.”
Users can sign up for the verification process, which costs $14.99 per month on iOS and Android or $11.99 on the web. The service is currently only available in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States for people 18 years or older, with no option for businesses.
To get started with Meta Verified, users can navigate to the Settings section on Facebook or Instagram and select the Accounts Center option, followed by Meta Verified. Once the service is live, an option called “Meta Verified available” will appear under the user’s name and profile photo. Users must set up a payment method and provide a government-issued ID for verification.
However, it’s important to note that users must enable two-factor authentication on their accounts to be eligible for the service. Additionally, subscribers won’t be able to change their profile name, photo, username, or date of birth unless they want to go through the verification procedure again.
In conclusion, Meta Verified is Facebook’s answer to Twitter’s verification program and is designed to help users establish their identity and prevent the impersonation of accounts. However, the subscription fee may discourage some users from signing up, and the service is currently limited to certain regions and demographics.
