Anthropic to Require ID Verification for Certain Capabilities Starting July 8
Anthropic announced that starting July 8, it will require identity verification for certain capabilities on its platform, expanding ID checks beyond existing requirements to access specific features.
Background
- Anthropic is the AI company behind Claude, a leading large language model that competes with OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. It was co-founded by former OpenAI employees.
- "ID verification" means users will have to submit a government-issued ID (like a driver's license or passport) to access certain advanced features of Claude — something previously not required.
- This policy shift, effective July 8, appears driven by increasing regulatory pressure and liability concerns around AI misuse, including deepfakes, disinformation, and fraud. Companies are being pushed to know exactly who is using powerful AI tools.
- The move mirrors a broader trend: OpenAI, Midjourney, and other AI providers have also introduced identity checks, particularly after incidents where AI-generated content caused real-world harm (e.g., fake Biden robocalls).
- This is controversial in the AI community because it raises privacy concerns, excludes users without official ID, and marks a step away from the open, anonymous internet culture that early AI adoption thrived on.