For security reasons, Facebook may ask you to confirm that you are who you claim to be by sending them an identity document. Here’s how.
The process may surprise. When you try to connect to your Facebook account, the social network asks to verify your identity to ensure that the account you are trying to access really belongs to you. An event that can occur when your account has been reported as spoofed, especially if the account is not associated with a real name and photo. It can also be for Facebook to verify that your account, and therefore yourself, are not associated with scam or phishing attempts. Similarly, if your posts (profile, page or group) quickly reach a large number of people and show “signs of inauthenticity”, Facebook’s verification machine then kicks in to remove any ambiguity. . Thus, your account may be temporarily blocked while the social network performs the necessary checks. You are then asked to send an identity document via this form.
What IDs can Facebook ask for?
Facebook is rather open about accepted documents to verify your identity. These can be official documents such as an identity card, a passport, a driving license or even a birth certificate. In all cases, the document must contain your name and date of birth or your name and photo. But the social network can also settle for less sensitive documents such as a student or library card, a certificate of employment, a diploma, a refugee card or a loyalty card or even proof of subscription to a magazine or a letter in your name for example. The range of documents that can attest to your identity is thus rather wide. But beware: if you prefer this method, you will have to send not one but two documents. Whoever they are, they must feature your name. At least one of the two documents must include your date of birth and/or your photo. Finally, the name shown on the documents you send must be the same as the one you want to appear on your profile. If you have only retained a nickname for your account, you have failed.
Facebook recommends sending only requested documents. No need to send more than necessary at the risk of extending processing times. Then, the social network shows little regard for the quality of the file sent as long as it remains readable. You can scan it using a scanner connected to your computer or take a photo with your smartphone. The files must be sent to him in JPEG format. They will be analyzed by “manual and automatic review systems” specifies Facebook. Similarly, it is stated that the platform may “also use trusted service providers to confirm your identity”. A practice which, according to the firm, “detects and prevents risks such as theft or identity theft, in order to guarantee your safety and that of the Facebook community”. To send your supporting documents (up to three documents), you will have to go to the bottom of this form.
What does Facebook do with the IDs received?
It takes about two weeks for Facebook to process your request. Any documents you send to Facebook may be retained by the platform for up to one year. The site says it’s about improving its systems for detecting fake IDs and related abuse. Don’t panic though. The documents sent are encrypted and of course inaccessible to members of the Facebook network. However, you can request the deletion of documents by going to this page. After logging in with your credentials, you can turn off the Store IDs section switch for one year. Any documents you submitted to verify your identity will be deleted within thirty days.
