Claude adds identity
verification from July 8
Anthropic's updated privacy policy (effective July 8) introduces age and identity verification for Free, Pro, and Max users. Selected users may be asked for a photo ID and a live selfie. Impact on API users and enterprise developers appears limited for now.
Age and identity verification
rolling out from July 8
Anthropic's updated privacy policy, effective July 8 2026, introduces age and identity verification for a portion of Free, Pro, and Max plan users. Two third-party services handle the checks: Persona for photo ID verification, and Yoti for age verification.
This is a phased rollout — not all users will be asked at once. The criteria for which users are selected for verification have not been publicly disclosed. Users who receive a verification request will need to complete it to continue using Claude.
Getting ahead of age-verification
and AI safety regulations
Age and identity checks are a preemptive response to EU AI Act requirements, minor-protection regulations, and tightening AI platform rules across multiple jurisdictions.
Anthropic's updated privacy policy (effective July 8 2026) adds age and identity verification for Free through Max users. Persona handles photo ID, Yoti handles age checks. The rollout is phased. Impact on API users and enterprise developers appears limited at this stage.
If asked to verify, complete it —
or switch to API access
If you receive a verification request, you'll need to complete either the Persona photo ID check or the Yoti age check to continue using Claude. Failing to complete verification will create a barrier to continued access. Users who don't want to share personal ID with third-party verification services have the option of switching to API access, which currently does not require verification.
For enterprise developers and API users: the impact is limited now, but it's worth monitoring whether Anthropic extends similar requirements to API access after July 8. The stated scope is consumer plans — but regulatory pressure often expands scope over time.