X has updated its creator ad revenue share program documentation, requiring all participants to submit a government-issued ID for verification. This process, which must be completed by July, involves taking a selfie and submitting a copy of a Government ID to be checked by X's third-party verification partner, Au10tix.
Au10tix has verified X user profiles since September of the previous year, providing an additional layer of authenticity for X Premium subscribers. Although not mandatory, subscribers can choose to confirm their government ID, which X claims will offer them "prioritized support from X Services".
Previously, ID confirmation was not a requirement for X's ad payouts, but recent issues have prompted this change. The new policy could be a response to far-right influencers and misinformation spreaders profiting from the program, U.S.-sanctioned entities receiving payment through the scheme, or spammers and bots being paid based on engagement.
However, the update has sparked controversy among X users, who value their anonymity and are wary of providing a government ID. Concerns have also been raised about Au10tix, an Israel-based company, potentially misusing personal data.
The ID confirmation requirement is expected to become more significant as X expands into more forms of payment. X is currently obtaining money transmitter licenses in the U.S., with plans to evolve into a full payments and banking platform. As such, ID verification is an inevitable part of this transition.
