Anthropic may soon require some Claude users to verify their age and identity by uploading government-issued documents, according to a revised version of the company’s privacy policy. The AI firm frames the move as an appeals mechanism for accounts flagged for potentially fraudulent activity—rather than an outright ban—but it comes amid ongoing tensions with the Trump administration over who can access Anthropic’s AI tools.
Policy Update and Implementation
A new section in Anthropic’s latest privacy policy, published in early June and set to take effect on July 8, 2026, states that the company may ask users to prove their age or identity “in certain circumstances,” though it does not specify exactly when. Previously, Anthropic required users to be at least 18 to use Claude and introduced age verification checks earlier this year to comply with various state and country regulations. Identity checks were also announced but only recently reflected in the privacy policy.
When triggered, affected users must upload a photo scan of a government-issued passport or driver’s license. Anthropic will also collect a selfie photo or video, along with a digitized face geometry template—considered protected biometric data in states like Illinois. The company will retain a record of the verification result, such as whether the user has reached a certain age.
Scope and Purpose
Anthropic spokesperson Michael Aciman directed TechCrunch to an X post from Anthropic’s Thariq Shihpar clarifying that the change applies only to a “small subset of users” whose accounts are flagged but not outright banned. Anthropic declined to specify the number of users in this subset, though the platform is estimated to have tens of millions of monthly users.
“[The identity verification policy] was updated on June 17 as an update to the appeals process,” Shihpar wrote. “It’s unrelated to the Fable or Mythos rollout.”
Anthropic states it is permitted to require ID uploads for several reasons, including user verification for account creation and administration, enforcing terms of service, preventing and investigating fraud, abuse, and policy violations (including unlawful or criminal conduct), and resolving security issues.
Broader Context and Regulatory Pressures
The move to more closely monitor Claude users may help Anthropic navigate a range of ongoing legal challenges, regulatory changes, and pressures from the Trump administration. The company remains largely at an impasse with the White House, more than a week after Trump officials effectively forced Anthropic to pull its latest cybersecurity models following allegations that an apparent jailbreak could bypass their guardrails. Other reports suggest personality clashes between the company and the administration have further strained relations.
By strengthening identity verification, Anthropic appears to be taking proactive steps to address compliance and security concerns, even as it faces an uncertain regulatory landscape in 2026.
via TechCrunch