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Anthropic says Claude may want to see your ID
Anthropic may require Claude users to verify their age and identity by uploading government-issued documents, according to a newly updated privacy policy published in June and effective July 8. The AI company states the change allows users whose accounts are flagged for potentially fraudulent activity to appeal rather than face outright banning. However, the move comes amid ongoing tensions with the Trump administration over access to Anthropic’s AI tools. The policy applies “in certain circumstances” without specifying examples. Anthropic already required users to be over 18 and earlier this year introduced age-verification checks to comply with state and national laws. Identity checks, previously announced, are now reflected in the policy. When triggered, users must upload a scan of a passport or driver’s license, along with a selfie or video and a digitized face geometry template (considered biometric data in states like Illinois). Anthropic will also retain the verification result, such as age confirmation. Anthropic spokesperson Michael Aciman pointed to a post from the company’s Thariq Shihipar stating the change affects only a “small subset of users” whose accounts are flagged but not banned. Shihipar clarified the policy update, made on June 17, relates to the appeals process and is “unrelated to the Fable or Mythos rollout.” Anthropic cites reasons such as account administration, enforcing terms of service, and preventing fraud, abuse, or unlawful conduct. The stricter verification may help Anthropic address legal challenges, regulatory changes, and pressure from the Trump administration. The company remains at an impasse with the White House after Trump officials forced Anthropic to pull cybersecurity models over jailbreak concerns. Earlier, the Department of Defense designated Anthropic a “supply chain risk” after the company refused to allow its AI for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons. Anthropic uses San Francisco-based Persona for identity checks, noting users may see a verification prompt for certain capabilities or routine integrity checks. Anthropic decides how long Persona retains identity documents, but has not disclosed deletion timelines. Persona, backed by Trump supporter Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund (which also invests in Anthropic), can face U.S. government demands for stored user data. The company has faced user backlash over Thiel’s ties, including a recent reversal by Discord after choosing Persona for age verification.