[urtrs]

I created an account with them recently and they asked for my passport or id card for authentication. Is this usual?

[deno]

Yes, very usual for EU companies. Make sure to blank anything sensitive. If this seems weird, consider how many places require your Social Security in US.

[ar-jan]

Not in my experience. Hetzner is the only one out of a dozen that I recall asking for ID.

[paulie_a]

It's generally finance related that requires a social security number. If a hosting provider asked they would get 123-12-1234

[benbristow]

Yep. OVH (The French) have a pretty strict ID policy too. Nothing to worry about.

[ar-jan]

I didn't have to provide ID with OVH, just fill out my address.

[benbristow]

You must have been lucky then.

I had to go through a manual send photocopy of my ID process etc.

[Moter8]

Usually hosters do this so they have some verfied name or address in case of abuse.

[untangle]

> they asked for my passport or id card

This is often for tax reasons -- specifically, whether VAT can be waived.