Quick answer:
- We use two different verification checks, and which one you're doing changes what we collect.
- Profile verification (the blue badge) uses a selfie only — no ID.
- Identity verification (used when appealing a blocked account) uses a government-issued ID plus a selfie.
- Both use biometric data, collected only with your consent and only to confirm your identity.
- Our verification partner, Persona, handles and deletes this data — we never receive or store your ID images or your selfie, only the pass/fail result.
- We never sell, lease, or trade it, and we'll never ask you to email it.
- If you have questions about your information, see our Privacy Policy.
Which verification are you doing?
- Profile verification — you're adding the blue verified badge to your profile. Selfie only.
- Identity verification — you're appealing a blocked account and were shown a Verify Identity button. Government ID plus a selfie.
If you're not sure which one you're in, the screen will tell you: if it asks for a photo of an ID, it's identity verification.
Profile verification (selfie only)
- You take a short selfie, following the directions on the screen. This confirms you're a real person and that you match the photos on your profile.
- Your verification selfie is not added to your profile and is not shown to other members.
- The check is run by our verification partner, Persona. We receive only the result: verified or not verified.
- Persona deletes your selfie scan data once the check is complete, and in no case keeps it longer than three years after your last interaction with Persona. Anything held in the meantime is stored encrypted.
Identity verification (appealing a blocked account)
- You upload a photo of a government-issued ID and take a selfie. The selfie is compared with the photo on your ID.
- The check is run by our verification partner, Persona. Black Cap receives only the result — whether the check passed or failed. Your ID images and your selfie are not stored on our systems.
- Persona deletes ID and selfie scan data once the identity check is complete, and in no case keeps it longer than three years after your last interaction with Persona. Anything held in the meantime is stored encrypted.
- Never email a photo of your ID. The only secure place to submit it is the Verify Identity screen. We will never ask you to send ID photos by email or chat.
Why this counts as biometric data
Both checks read the geometry of your face to confirm it's really you. That makes them biometric information, which gets stricter handling than an ordinary photo. We collect it only with your consent — you're asked before the check starts — and only to confirm your identity. You can decline, though you won't be able to get verified or complete an appeal without it.
What we never do with it
- We never sell, lease, or trade biometric scan data, and neither does Persona.
- We never use your verification selfie or ID for advertising.
- We never show it to other members.
- We never ask for it by email, chat, or over the phone. If someone does, it isn't us — please report it.
Questions about your information
Read our Privacy Policy and Persona's privacy policy.