Instagram will ask users to verify their identities using selfie videos. This step seems to aim to prevent fake accounts and bots that are often found on Instagram.
The new verification feature was first reported by social media consultant Matt Navarra. In a tweet on Twitter, Navarra uploaded a screenshot of Instagram's new verification page asking users to take a selfie video.
Another Twitter user @bettinamak also uploaded a screenshot of the guide page for taking selfie videos. In the instructions, Instagram asks users to show their faces from all angles to prove they are really human and confirm their identity.
In a caption at the bottom of the screen, Instagram promised this video would not appear on its platform and would be removed after 30 days. Instagram's parent company Meta also said it would not collect user biometric data or use facial recognition technology.
This is quite surprising considering that Meta recently announced they would turn off one of its facial recognition features. But Meta later clarified that it was Facebook-specific features that were turned off, not all of its facial recognition systems.
Instagram has actually been developing a selfie video feature for identity verification since last year. They first rolled out this feature in August last year, but it was pulled back due to technical issues.
It is not known whether this selfie video feature is still in the testing phase or has been rolled out in stages. It is also unknown whether this feature only applies to new accounts or all users.
