This guide is for individuals going through a Persona-powered identity verification flow. While we’ve included helpful tips, the verification was set up by the business, service, or organization that asked you to verify. They use Persona as a tool, and they ultimately decide what’s required and can assist with your specific situation, if you’re having trouble.
What is Verify with Persona?
Persona verifies identities for many businesses. If you’ve verified with Persona before, even for a different business, Verify with Persona lets Persona check whether you’ve verified before and whether today’s verification fits your history.
It’s an extra layer of protection. It makes it much harder for someone else to pretend to be you, even if they have a photo of you or a copy of your ID.
How does it protect my identity?
Persona uses an encrypted version of your data to check your earlier verifications, so your identity is never revealed to anyone in the process. The business gets a signal about whether today’s verification fits your history. It doesn’t get your personal information from verifications you did for other businesses.
Does it change what I have to do?
No. You complete the same steps the business asks for, such as photographing your ID and taking a selfie. Verify with Persona doesn’t add steps, and you don’t need an account, a password, a passkey or an app.
How do I use it?
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At the start of your verification, you’ll see the Verify with Persona option.
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Read what Persona will check, and choose whether to leave it on.
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Select Begin verifying and complete the verification.
If you turn it off, Persona doesn’t check your earlier verifications.
What does Persona check?
Persona compares today’s verification with your earlier Persona verifications, including your selfie, the device you’re using, your internet network and your general location.
Why was I asked for an extra step?
If something looks different from your usual pattern, for example you’re on a new phone or verifying from somewhere new, the business may decide to ask you for an extra step. That’s the protection working, and it doesn’t mean there’s a problem with your identity. The business decides which steps are required, so contact them if you have questions.
Is it safe?
- It only runs if you opt in, and you choose each time you verify.
- Your data is encrypted for the lookup, and your identity is never revealed.
- Every verification includes a new, live selfie, so someone with a photo or recording of you can’t use your history.
- Persona does not sell your data.
I used Persona Wallet before. What’s different?
Verify with Persona replaces Persona Wallet (also called Reusable Personas). It doesn’t use your wallet or your passkey, and you don’t need the Persona Wallet app. To delete an existing wallet, see Can I delete my Persona Wallet?
How do I opt out, or delete my information?
- To opt out: turn off the Verify with Persona option when you see it at the start of a verification.
- To ask Persona to delete your verification history, or to stop using it for Verify with Persona: make a request through the Persona privacy portal.
- To delete information you shared with a business: each business keeps its own copy of what you gave them, so contact that business directly. See Can I delete my data?