Anthropic Enforces Identity on Claude: A Risky Bet?

Anthropic and Its New Requirement for Claude

Anthropic has recently implemented a new rule for the use of its artificial intelligence model, Claude. From now on, users must undergo an official identity verification via the Persona service. This decision comes as a surprise, especially considering that competitors like ChatGPT and Gemini do not require such a step to access their services.

According to Anthropic, this verification is essential for responsibly using such powerful technology. The company claims that knowing the identity of users helps limit abuse, ensure compliance with usage rules, and adhere to legal requirements. This procedure is being gradually rolled out and may become necessary to access certain specific features of Claude.

Detailed Identity Verification Process

The identity verification on Claude relies on Persona Identities technology, known for its reliability in terms of privacy and security. To complete this procedure, users must follow specific steps.

Before starting, it is imperative to have an official photo ID, such as a passport, driver's license, or national identity card. Additionally, a device equipped with a camera is necessary, as a live capture, such as a selfie, may be requested. The process is designed to be quick, typically taking less than five minutes.

Possible Consequences of Verification

Despite Anthropic's assurances, there are risks of account suspension following verification. Several reasons could lead to this suspension: repeated violations of usage rules, creating an account from an unsupported region, failure to comply with the terms of service, or use by a minor.

This measure, while aimed at securing the use of Claude, may not be well received by all users. Anthropic emphasizes that the information collected during this verification will only be used to confirm users' identities and not to train its AI models. However, this assurance may not be enough to alleviate all concerns of potential users.