To be or not to be...Verified?

To be or not to be Verified? That is the question I ask?

I've been thinking about this issue of Verification as it relates to identification specifically when using Social Media. Should I become META Verified? On this platform specifically that enables most of my social profiles, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

I totally comprehend the need to verify the users of these services; to allow them to actively check to see who it is that is accessing their services. However I have issues with the security of these verification processes as I know that all online accounts are subject to security breaches. And there is no service provider of ANY platform that can GUARANTEE or assure 100% protection of the information that we allow them to access.

With the issue of ID verification and even validation becoming more and more commonplace. As digital methods and even mobile phone apps are used to regularly validate persons using a number of services ranging from online account services for modern banking, or registration for employment or educational institutions. Even HMRC, Inland Revenue, Tax Administration services are using an app to verify the identity of persons wishing to access their tax accounts through the online portal.

Can anyone really be certain of anything at all when there are so many people, millions of people using these services. How can anyone really manage all of that data and ensure the integrity of all of those data files with all of these millions of transactions taking place everyday? There is no way to ensure the security of all of these persons identities. And as their information is entered onto these systems its increasing the risk of this information being accessible to anyone able to breach the security of these systems.

Its far too easy to breach the security of a regular mobile device, I would not recommend using a mobile app to verify our identity. And even the use of biometrics stored on mobile devices, how is it possible for these vital personal identifiers to be kept secure on such devices?

I think that we have all been completely drawn into an illusion that these devices can be secured and that this system provides us with end to end encryption and that this is a guaranteed secured process. There are no guarantees and if there were how would anyone even be able to assure this guarantee is protected.

When I consider the most vital services that are the most essential services that we are offered as citizens in this country. I consider medical, legal and other public services that are facilitated by the Government. I don't at all remember ever having my identity verified when accessing the emergency services at a hospital or even regular NHS public medical services. I mean when we register with a doctor we have to verify our address in order to access a G.P. Then we continue to attend appointments with them and when referred to attend hospital appointments. Still I don't recall then or at least I don't think any effort is made to even ensure that verification of any identification takes place when attending an appointment at a hospital outpatients clinic.

Recently I attended a civil hearing at a County Court in London and I was surprised to find that even at a County Court after passing through the extensive security to enter the building to ensure I wasn't carrying any prohibited items. I didn't even get asked to verify my identity either before entering the building or before attending the hearing. So I am thinking that this lack of verification of persons attending Court for Civil hearings is not at all advisable. How is it that the Courts Administrators can ensure that the correct persons have attended the court hearing if no verification of identity is taking place. There are already far too many administrative errors and heavy burdens on administrative staff presently. If a person simply answers when their name is called without being verified are they assuming that this person is actually being truthful and they are who they say they are?

As I have been the victim of identity theft I know how easily a persons identity can be tampered with and therefore I feel there is a serious need for analysis of these procedures. For identity verification processes to be kept as secure as possible. I think that the most efficient way to verify an identity is to use a bank account and debit card transaction for verification. At least Banks generally are bound by strict procedures governed by anti money laundering laws. As such if a person has a bank account, that matches their Identity documents, that this is more likely a more trusted and secure method. As well as that there is a record of all transactions made through a bank account, that can be provided as evidence if required.

I'm certain that most persons would even be agreeable with paying a small fee for verification purposes, if this would help to better secure us all from illegal uses of our personal identity.