Anthropic mandates ID verification for Claude users amid regulatory pressure
The move, effective July 8, introduces biometric checks processed by Persona as Anthropic navigates a standoff with the Trump administration and evolving compliance requirements.
Anthropic has revised its privacy policy to permit the collection of government-issued identification documents from users of its Claude chatbot. Under the updated terms, effective July 8, the artificial intelligence company may require users to upload photo scans of passports or driver’s licences, alongside selfie photos or videos and digitised face geometry templates. The change is designed to allow individuals flagged for potentially fraudulent activity to appeal account restrictions rather than facing immediate bans.
The verification process is handled by Persona, a San Francisco-based firm backed by Peter Thiel through Founder’s Fund. Thiel is also an investor in Anthropic. While Anthropic stated that the policy applies only to a small subset of users whose accounts are flagged, the company did not specify the exact number of affected individuals. The firm retains users’ identity documents for a period determined by Anthropic, though specific retention timeframes were not disclosed.
Anthropic spokesperson Michael Aciman and company representative Thariq Shihpar clarified that the update, published in June, is part of a routine appeals process revised on June 17. Shihpar noted the measure is unrelated to the company’s recent Fable or Mythos rollout. The policy allows Anthropic to verify age and identity to enforce terms of service, prevent fraud, and investigate security issues.
The implementation of identity checks occurs against a backdrop of heightened regulatory scrutiny and political tension. Anthropic is currently in a standoff with the Trump administration over access to its AI tools, following allegations that a jailbreak could compromise model guardrails. The Department of Defense previously designated Anthropic a supply chain risk after the company refused to allow its technology for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons.
Persona has faced user backlash in the past, notably when Discord selected the firm for age verification checks before reversing the decision due to concerns over Thiel’s involvement. While Roblox, another Persona customer, states that user images are deleted immediately after processing, Anthropic’s spokesperson did not confirm a similar timeline. The company maintains that it may be compelled to comply with U.S. government demands for stored user information.
