Future TechnologyAnthropic wants your passport. Here's what's actually happening with Claude's new ID checks
Starting July 8, Anthropic's updated privacy policy gives the company the legal right to demand a government-issued photo ID, a live selfie, and a facial geometry scan from consumer Claude users before granting or maintaining access to the platform. The verification is handled through Persona, a third-party identity company backed by Peter Thiel.
The checks have technically been running since April 14 in limited form. The July 8 update formalises the practice across all consumer tiers: Free, Pro, and Max. Business customers on Team, Enterprise, and API plans are exempt.
What they actually collect
The data Anthropic can collect includes: an image of a government-issued ID document and all personal information printed on it (name, date of birth, ID number), a photo or video of your face, and what the policy calls "facial geometry templates" which Anthropic itself acknowledges may be considered biometric data in some jurisdictions.
Anthropic hasn't published what triggers a verification check, how long the data is retained, or what happens if you refuse. The policy says refusal could result in account suspension. For users in Illinois, legal experts have flagged a specific compliance problem: the state's Biometric Information Privacy Act requires written consent and a disclosed retention period before collection, and Anthropic's policy currently specifies neither.
Why Anthropic is doing this
Anthropic hasn't explained the specific trigger for this policy shift, but the direction of travel is clear. AI safety concerns around misuse, underage access, and identity-linked behaviour are increasing. Other platforms including some social networks and adult content sites have moved toward ID verification in 2025 and 2026. Anthropic is likely responding to some combination of internal risk management and regulatory pressure.
What this means for you
If you're on a consumer Claude plan and you get a verification prompt after July 8, you'll need to decide whether to comply. The verification is handled by Persona, not Anthropic directly, so you're sharing sensitive data with a third party whose own data practices apply separately.
If you're a developer using the API or a business on Team or Enterprise plans, this doesn't apply to you. API access isn't affected.
The practical advice: check whether you're on a consumer or business plan, read Anthropic's updated privacy policy, and decide before July 8 whether you're comfortable with the terms. If you're in Illinois, it may be worth following the BIPA situation closely as it develops.