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Meta launches paid verification system for Canadian users
Price will be $15.99 for web-based version or $19.99 on mobile
Meta is rolling out a verification badge that users can have to verify their identity and get other perks, for a monthly fee.
Photo: Meta
Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, is launching a test of a new verification system in Canada, one that costs up to $19.99 a month for a version of the app that comes with enhanced features.
The company says that starting now, it is testing out what it calls a subscription bundle
for both apps that not only verifies a user's identity via government ID, it also unlocks various support services for creators.
Anyone with an Instagram or Facebook account is eligible to sign up, but they must by over 18 and businesses are exempt. The app-based version will cost $19.99 a month, while a web-based version will cost slightly less, at $15.99.
Canada is just the latest country to be added to the service, as it was launched in Australia and New Zealand in February (new window), followed by the U.S. in March and U.K. users earlier this month.
In addition to added protection from impersonation, more support services and other frills, anyone signing up for the service will get a verified
badge on their profile.
Similar to Twitter changes
That mark of distinction is reminiscent of the blue checkmark
badge that Twitter has long employed. Before it was bought by Elon Musk, Twitter would dole out blue checkmarks to verify the authenticity of certain accounts, although the exact requirements were always nebulous.
WATCH | How will having to pay to be verified on social media affect you?
