Meta announces paid verification service for Facebook and Instagram users

Meta, the parent company of social media giants Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has recently unveiled a new paid verification service for its users. This service is designed to help users establish their identities on the platform and make their accounts more secure.

Verification badges have long been a feature of social media platforms, and they are designed to help users establish their identities and build trust with their followers. In the past, verification badges were only available to celebrities, public figures, and other high-profile users. However, now, any user can apply for a verification badge by paying a fee.

Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has announced the launch of a paid verification service for its users. This move comes as part of the company’s efforts to improve the user experience on its platforms and enhance user trust and safety. The new paid verification will be launched first in Australia and New Zealand before being rolled out more widely. Meta verification will require a monthly fee of $11.99 for those signing up via the web, or $14.99 for sign-ups via iOS and Android.

The new service is available to users of both Facebook and Instagram, and it involves a thorough review of the user’s account to ensure that they are who they claim to be. The review process includes a review of government-issued identification, as well as a check of other public records to verify the user’s identity.

Once the verification process is complete, the user will receive a blue badge next to their name on the platform, indicating that their account has been verified. This badge can help users build trust with their followers and establish themselves as legitimate users of the platform.

The paid verification service has received mixed reactions from users and experts. Some have praised the move, saying that it will help prevent fake accounts and reduce the spread of misinformation on the platform. Others, however, have criticized the move, saying that it creates a two-tiered system on the platform, where users who can afford to pay for verification are given preferential treatment over those who cannot.

It remains to be seen how successful the new service will be and whether Meta will make any changes to the fee or the application process in response to user feedback. Nevertheless, the company’s decision to offer a paid verification service is a clear indication of its commitment to improving user trust and safety on its platforms.