Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by rubylark 1716 days ago
Is it? Maybe its my unconscious avoidance of industries with that practice, but the only other private corporation I can think of that has requested my ID is Costco. I can't think of a single software service or social media that has wanted my ID for anything. On the other hand, Facebook has never asked for my ID either, I assume because I have an old enough account that I was grandfathered in.

Edit: I thought of two more: airlines and banks. But I assume both of those industries are required to by regulation.
2 comments
winternett 1716 days ago
In order to be verified on Twitter and YouTube, you need to present government ID. I wasn't talking about FaceBook in that reference. FaceBook's algorithm likely verifies people over time based on requiring their actual (government record) name versus the content in their posts, possibly combined with facial recognition from posted photos and family associations.

I always chose to never use my real name on any social media accounts, if it was required I'd probably elect to not sign up, but their EULAs frequently are revised to serve whatever purpose they want because there is no meaningful regulation in place to limit their data mining practices on pretty much anyone because others post info about you in some way over time, even if you don't have an account.

link
input_sh 1716 days ago
Oh I can think of many others: cryptocurrency exchanges, many payment providers, some server providers, Twitter (during verification), freelancing platforms (like Upwork) and even Pornhub.

Sometimes it's a legal obligation (under KYC), sometimes it's pressure from credit card companies, and sometimes it's just websites making shit up to enforce their own rules.

link
winternett 1716 days ago
Crypto exchanges do it because of mandated government income tax reporting requirements and potential for payment fraud (also a regulated industry).

Twitter requires ID and personal information (i.e. your phone number) for verification even from users that are not involved in any sort of purchasing or income scenarios.

Reddit started out not caring about who anyone was, but over time IP based tracking and other things started to creep in...

Private companies that aren't regulated nor involved in conducting regulated business should not be asking for any government issued ID nor personal user data if you ask me.

link