I see more and more apps and services requiring a selfie to proceed.
What are our privacy minded people doing when they want to use a service but not provide the selfie?
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That has a very high probability of convincing me not to use that app or service.
I’m imagining inserting a face-swap program into the software stack powering the webcam. I know it’s technically feasible with Video4Linux.
Kojima San to the rescue
If it’s something like a bank or the government which already know my real identity then I don’t really care. For anything else, then I just don’t use the service.
You should in the first place avoid them, but if it’s necessary :
https://thispersondoesnotexist.com/
Could work
Unless it is something absolutely necessary like a bank app or something which I haven’t run into requirements for then I’d stay away from those types of apps and services.
Like if it is social media then I can live without it. Discord had those leaks from verification so even more reason to just stay away if frivolous apps or services like that ask for it.
Depends on what kind of services… if it’s ESTA, visa, official documents basically, or KYC from a bank, well yes, if there is no better way (e.g. cryptographic signature via physical ID card with chip) then I’ll do it.
If it’s for a random Website they can fuck off.
I’ve never provided a selfie and I never will. When it’s demanded, I find another service.
The last time I selfie was demanded was when I attempted to sign up for an online bank, Simplii Financial. SF wanted a selfie and my ID. SF used to have a physical locations one could go to for opening an account. Now it’s all online.
In the US, some of the government sites require verification through id.me now
Another reason I’m glad I don’t live there.
I’ve only experienced anything like this once, and it was while trying to sign up for a popular cash (payment) app. I noped the fuck out.
I never tested it, but what about having a second phone with those filters that change your appearance, and then you point your camera on its screen?
On your ID/pass and maybe your CV. Nowhere else.
I’d look for an alternative. Failing that, I would try every trick to fake that selfie.
What are you using that requires a selfie? I can’t think of any services or apps I use that require a selfie. It can’t be that hard to avoid if I’ve never encountered one.
It is commonly used for AML and other user-verification purposes.
I don’t care as much about privacy…
I deleted my PayPal account as they asked me for a KYC video.
That’s just ID theft waiting to happen.So what do you use instead of it?
Open to ideas for alternatives.
I had opened it with the intent of using it for receiving money, but didn’t really need it until just recently.
So, just waiting until I actually end up requiring to receive payments, to open an account somewhere.As far as KYC goes, the payment processor should ask the Bank (the one that I am connecting to the account) to verify my identity.
I can then login to the bank via the respective bank’s website, find an entry with the PayPal account no. and be able to Authorise the request.
That way, PayPal knows that I am a legitimate account holder, without requiring to make my videos.
Also, casual videos should not be considered a valid method of verification anywhere.
deleted by creator
How can we be sure that that person actually does not exist?
If the service has legitimate reasons, like it is a web hosting company or something governmental, then why not. If it is a social network, a game or the like, I will simply not use it.
Using services of a hosting company is something very serious, because the stakes are high, both in costs and in legal responsibility, so most likely you will need to prove your identity. Some companies will even require a meeting to sign a contract.
How is it legit for a hosting company tp demand a selfie!? Is that a thing now? I had multiple hosting accounts and never encontered anything more than requirement to add a credit card
Because users need to be accountable for how they use their services, like hosting phishing websites, sending massive spam or scam campaigns. They would ask for a selfie, not stored, to match it with an ID.
Not all hosting providers do ask for ID. A credit card is not enough to prove identity because you can use virtual anonymous ones.
Any example of one that requires it (so I know what not to use)?
Hetzner
Woah. I had a server with them until like 2022 or 2023 and they didn’t do strange things like this
It’s hard to trust organizations to store digital data (including selfie photos) without leaking. Even without leaks, the data is still has the possibility to be accessed by members of the organization, their vendors and auditors. Will everyone use the data only for the intended purpose? I can’t be certain so I’d like to push back on these kind of requirements when I’m able.
Respectable ones, do not store them, they just check them live. If they do, then they open the door for problems.
I have never had a web host ask me to prove my identity, and I would probably pick a different one if they did.
They do have my credit card number though, so I’m far from anonymous.
