I see more and more apps and services requiring a selfie to proceed.
What are our privacy minded people doing when they want to use a service but not provide the selfie?
You must log in or # to comment.
That has a very high probability of convincing me not to use that app or service.
I’m imagining inserting a face-swap program into the software stack powering the webcam. I know it’s technically feasible with Video4Linux.
I have not used a service with this requirement, and will refuse to at any point. Self hosting, open source, offline.
Many online services derive value from the critical mass of users they home. This plus financial apps would include virtually all instances where facial images are required for security purposes. Self-hosting cannot solve this problem for you, you are effectively saying you will refrain from using these social and financial services at all.
You should in the first place avoid them, but if it’s necessary :
https://thispersondoesnotexist.com/
Could work
What are you using that requires a selfie? I can’t think of any services or apps I use that require a selfie. It can’t be that hard to avoid if I’ve never encountered one.
It is commonly used for AML and other user-verification purposes.
If the service has legitimate reasons, like it is a web hosting company or something governmental, then why not. If it is a social network, a game or the like, I will simply not use it.
Using services of a hosting company is something very serious, because the stakes are high, both in costs and in legal responsibility, so most likely you will need to prove your identity. Some companies will even require a meeting to sign a contract.
How is it legit for a hosting company tp demand a selfie!? Is that a thing now? I had multiple hosting accounts and never encontered anything more than requirement to add a credit card
Because users need to be accountable for how they use their services, like hosting phishing websites, sending massive spam or scam campaigns. They would ask for a selfie, not stored, to match it with an ID.
Not all hosting providers do ask for ID. A credit card is not enough to prove identity because you can use virtual anonymous ones.
Any example of one that requires it (so I know what not to use)?
Hetzner
Woah. I had a server with them until like 2022 or 2023 and they didn’t do strange things like this
I don’t use apps or services that require a photo, video of myself, upload of my ID, etc.
I feel like this is a superstitious resistance. My face is the least sensitive identifying factor I have. My email address is more sensitive than my face!!!
When people are identified and arrested based on photos and videos, you don’t think it’s a serious concern? You can always change your email address. You can’t change your face easily or cheaply.
