As artificial intelligence companies face increasing scrutiny from regulators and governments, Anthropic is preparing to introduce stricter identity verification measures for a subset of users on its Claude platform.
The AI company has updated its privacy policy to state that, in certain situations, users may be asked to confirm their age or identity by submitting official documents such as passports or driving licences. The revised policy, published this month and scheduled to take effect on July 8, also outlines the collection of selfie images or videos and the creation of facial geometry templates during the verification process.
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While the changes have raised questions about privacy and biometric data collection, Anthropic says the policy is not intended as a broad identity-checking programme for all users. Instead, the company has described it as part of a process for reviewing accounts that have been flagged for suspicious activity.
Verification linked to appeals process
The update became public after reports highlighted new language in Anthropic’s privacy policy detailing the circumstances under which users may be asked to prove who they are.
Responding to concerns, Anthropic spokesperson Michael Aciman directed attention to a public statement from company representative Thariq Shihipar, who said the policy change affects only a limited number of users.
“[Anthropic’s identity verification policy] was updated on June 17 as an update to the appeals process,” Shihipar wrote. “It’s unrelated to the Fable or Mythos rollout.”
According to the company, verification may be required when users seek to challenge restrictions placed on their accounts rather than face an outright suspension. Anthropic says the information can also be used to help enforce platform rules, investigate fraud, address security concerns and prevent misuse of its AI services.
The company has long required users to be at least 18 years old to access Claude. Earlier this year, it also introduced age-verification measures in response to legal requirements emerging in several jurisdictions. However, the latest policy provides far greater detail about how identity checks could be conducted and what information may be collected.
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Among the data listed are government-issued identity documents, selfie photographs or videos, facial recognition-based verification records and confirmation of whether a user meets age requirements.
Privacy questions emerge amid political pressure
Anthropic said the verification process is handled through Persona, a San Francisco-based identity verification company. Users may encounter verification requests when accessing specific features or during routine integrity and compliance reviews.
The company has stated that it controls how long identity records are retained by Persona, though it has not publicly clarified the exact retention period. Privacy advocates have previously warned that identity databases can become attractive targets for cybercriminals if sensitive information is stored for extended periods.
The policy update arrives at a particularly sensitive moment for Anthropic. The company has been navigating growing regulatory demands while also facing pressure from the Trump administration over access to its AI technology.
Relations between the company and federal officials have reportedly become strained following disagreements over the deployment and security of advanced AI systems. Recent reports have suggested that government concerns over AI safety and access have contributed to tensions between Anthropic and Washington.
The company has also faced scrutiny over decisions related to defence and government use of its technology, particularly regarding surveillance applications and autonomous weapons systems.
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Against that backdrop, Anthropic’s latest policy shift highlights a challenge confronting much of the AI industry: balancing platform safety and regulatory compliance with user privacy. As governments seek greater accountability from AI providers, companies are increasingly turning to identity verification tools, even as questions remain about how personal and biometric information should be collected, stored and protected.