Facebook parent Meta will be rolling out a subscription service this week to get Facebook and Instagram accounts verified using government IDs. Facebook founder and Meta chairman and chief executive officer Mark Zuckerburg on Sunday said that the Meta Verified service would cost users at least $11.99 per month on web or $14.99 per month on iOS
"This week we're starting to roll out Meta Verified -- a subscription service that lets you verify your account with a government ID, get a blue badge, get extra impersonation protection against accounts claiming to be you, and get direct access to customer support," he said.
"This new feature is about increasing authenticity and security across our services. Meta Verified starts at $11.99 / month on web or $14.99 / month on iOS. We'll be rolling out in Australia and New Zealand this week and more countries soon," Zuckerburg further said.
He said the Meta Verified service will be available in Australia and New Zealand for now, but will be rolled out in other countries soon. The service would increase security and authenticity of users on Facebook and Instagram, the company's founder claimed. Subscribers to the blue-tick service will also get direct access to customer support.
According to technology and gadgets news monitor Techdroider, the Meta verified service will give the users the benefits of "a verified badge, customer support, active impersonation monitoring, priority in other people's comments, recommendations in the explore page and reels on Instagram".
To become Meta Verified, you must fulfil specific criteria, including reaching minimum activity thresholds, being at least 18 years old, and providing a government ID that matches the name and photo on your Facebook or Instagram account. The new feature bears some resemblance to Elon Musk's Twitter Blue subscription service, which costs $8 per month. However, Meta assures that accounts verified under the company's previous criteria, such as authenticity and notability, will remain unchanged.
Furthermore, Meta Verified users will receive exclusive stickers for their Instagram and Facebook Stories and Reels, as well as 100 free monthly stars, a digital currency for tipping Facebook creators. Although businesses are not yet eligible to apply for a Meta Verified badge, individuals who have obtained this status will need to undergo the verification process again if they wish to modify their profile name, username, date of birth, or photo.