Why is a selfie required?
- Account safety: To confirm you’re the account holder in order to keep the platform secure
- Community trust: We don’t permit account sharing as it’s against our Community Guidelines
- Verification process: Occasionally, we’ll ask for a live selfie to match with your existing profile photo
How to take a verification selfie
When prompted, here’s how to snap a clear selfie from within the app:
- Stay within the on-screen guidelines, showing your face and neck
- Ensure the area is well-lit; turn on lights if needed
- Hold your phone steady to avoid a blurry picture
- Have a clear background without other people
- Don’t wear items that cover your face, such as hats or scarves
Remember, the photo must be of you, not another person or a photo. Update your profile photo if your appearance changes, click here for assistance.
Understanding photo comparison
- We send your selfie to Uber and Microsoft for facial verification, comparing it with your profile photo
- If flagged, three identity specialists independently examine the photos. Two matching opinions could restrict your account access
- Your photos are kept confidential, and legal authorities can only access them with a proper legal process
If your photo fails verification
- Your account may be temporarily waitlisted for 24 hours or suspended indefinitely
- You can appeal in the app by reviewing your profile, real-time selfie, past selfies, and ID document
Reactivating your account
Appeal the deactivation by submitting an appeal in the app. The review takes into account:
* Profile and real-time photos
* Past verification selfies
* Identification documents
If they match, your account gets reactivated without affecting future checks. If the photos still differ, the account remains deactivated.
Data retention and security
- Retention period: We store photos for three years, for integrity investigations
- Data protection: Microsoft handles biometric data without keeping a copy, and we limit data access internally
Specific considerations
- Transgender support: If you’re transitioning or transgender, we’re here to help with verification. Update your profile picture in Account > Account settings
For more on data use and your rights, please review our Privacy Notice.