Anthropic add ID verification for some Claude users

Anthropic don start dey require ID verification small‑small for some Claude subscribers, e dey trigger for certain accounts instead make dem roll am out everywhere. For mid‑April 2026 help center update, the company tok say some users fit be asked to verify dem identity with Persona before dem fit use some Claude features. For the triggered cases, users must use device wey get camera and submit physical government‑issued photo ID (passport, driver’s licence, or national ID card) plus a live selfie scan. Anthropic no go accept screenshots, digital copies, or non‑government credentials. Dem say Persona dey run the workflow, while Anthropic go only use the verification results when dem need am for account review or appeals. The data dey encrypted and dem claim say e no go enter model training nor dem no go use am for marketing. Users reaction tight and negative; plenti people dey call am “AI KYC” and dem dey compare Anthropic approach to competitors wey reportedly no dey require the same ID verification step for normal chatbot access. For crypto traders, direct effect on token prices likely small, but the backlash fit affect wider sentiment toward AI platforms wey get privacy and compliance story.