Meta is launching a new paid subscription service for Instagram and Facebook users

CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the launch of Meta Verified, a new paid verification subscription service, in an Instagram update on Sunday.

Users on Meta’s Instagram and Facebook platforms can submit their government ID and receive a blue verification badge for $11.99 monthly on the web and $14.99 monthly on iOS.

“This new feature aims to improve the authenticity and security of our services,” Zuckerberg wrote in the post.

To demonstrate their legitimacy, Meta has historically grant verification to notable users. Such as politicians, executives, members of the press, and organisations. The company’s new subscription service is similar to Twitter Blue, a revamped service. That grants users a verification badge if they pay a monthly fee.

After Elon Musk, the company’s new owner pulled and delayed the initial launch. Twitter launched its updated Twitter Blue subscription service in December. The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, who paid $44 billion for Twitter in October. Stated that the new verification system will be “the great leveller” and give “power to the people.”

Twitter Blue was briefly available in November before being pulled after users abused the new paid option by impersonating celebrities and brands.

According to a Meta spokesperson, impersonation protections are in place with Meta Verified subscriptions. Users must be at least 18 years old, meet the lowest account activity requirements. Also submit a government ID matching their profile name and photo to qualify. According to the spokesperson, subscriptions include “proactive monitoring” for account impersonation.

Musk has stated openly that he intends to remove badges from Twitter accounts that were verified. Before the launch of Twitter Blue. Still, according to a spokesperson, Meta will not make changes to accounts that are already verified while the company tests its service.