[b]Hello SW members! :) Thank you for the feedback thus far regarding our new [u]User Verification feature[/u], and thank you also to those who have tried out this feature![/b]
We understand completely why some users may not feel completely happy with this feature, specifically [b]those who prefer not to have a public image of themselves on SW, yet would like to have the "Verified" icon appearing next to their username[/b].
This feature [i](the ☑ badge)[/i] was originally/mostly intended mostly to combat the ever growing issue of users being tricked and "catfished" on SW, by those claiming to be someone who they are not (sharing fake/stolen photos).
Those who post (or share privately) images of themselves (or images claiming to be them) can use this feature to help verify that they are indeed the person in those images.
This portion of our verification feature [i](the badge)[/i] was intended for users who are more public about themselves (photos), and not really aimed at those who enjoy using SW anonymously.
(The other half of this feature, the initial verification photo, is mainly for security/account recovery purposes).
We do understand that it still can seem unfair to many other loyal users, as they too cannot have such a badge without being public about their appearance.
[sep]
The SW Staff has not yet come to a conclusion regarding if and how we can improve this issue, however, we would like to put forward a potential idea.
[b][u]Would you prefer if SW offered different modes of the Verification Status (Badge)?[/u][/b]
[b]• [u]Publicly Verified[/u][/b] - Verification Photo visible to all SW Members
[b]• [u]Visible to other Verified Users[/u][/b] - Verification Photo only visible to other users who have also verified up to this level.
[b]• [u]Visible to SW Staff Only[/u][/b] - Verification Photo only visible to SW Staff.
[c=#BF0000][b]Please note that with each decreasing level, users will have less ability to verify whether or not a user is the person being claimed in their shared images.[/b][/c]
[i]For example:[/i] [quote]You, a SW member, may be chatting with another user who has the Verified Grey Badge [i](Visible to SW Staff Only)[/i].
We the SW Staff will not be able to always monitor whether or not this user is sharing true images of themselves (nor do we monitor what users share privately), after having already been verified. Neither would you or the rest of SW members have access to their "Staff Only" verification photo, to be able to cross-check their identity.
In this case, members would need to use more discretion when it comes to trusting who the user claims to be in their shared photos (since you are unable to see the already approved verification photos).
This is a concern to us, especially for new users who may join the site, and could be misled regarding the authenticity of certain other SW users.[/quote]
[b]We would like to hear your thoughts and feedback!
What do you think about this idea regarding the various Verification Badge modes?[/b]
Do you fully understand how and why the other more private modes of the verification photo (while having a badge) can be potentially used to mislead members?
Please share your opinions, suggestions, thoughts on this new Verification feature and how we may be able to improve it.
Thank you, [i][c=#005E2F]-The SW Team[/c][/i]
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[c=#004A59][big]Updates:[/big][/c]
[u]Regarding the option of having [b]"Friends Only see your Verification Photo"[/b].[/u]
This defeats a lot of the purpose of this verification feature, and is about equivalent of using the "Staff Only" option, while posting the image also to your "Friends Only" album.
The issue with this idea is that someone can easily have:
[b]• 0 Friends. • All Friends are alternate accounts of their own.[/b]
It is not a useful way of adding trust to someone's verification.
The reason why we opt to have other Verified users be able to see the photo (as the 2nd option), is that there is more validity in this method, as other users who are not directly connected to you, and are verified/trusted themselves, can also verify your own photo identity for the rest of the site.
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[b][u]Regarding Not having other options of Account Recovery or Verification[/u][/b]
We [b][u]will[/u][/b] be looking into having other options for recovering your SW account in case of loss, such as: [b]Recovery Questions, Secondary Email Address, Phone Number[/b], etc...
Please keep in mind that we cannot develop everything at once. :)
Now that we have more feedback and new concerns from users, we can address such issues.
[c=#800000][Note: This was never a major concern to users before we released this new photo verification feature today, so we are a bit surprised that some are very upset for us not yet having other recovery options][/c] :)
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SW-User
Here's my problem with the whole situation.
What if the site gets hacked? You can't guarantee it won't. I've been stalked in real life twice.
It scares me to know someone on this site might recognize me and walk up to me while I'm shopping. I like the anonymity these Q&A sites provide me. Online, I've had problems with some people following me around. At the moment, they don't know where I live or what I look like. THAT is purposeful on my part. It's for my own protection and peace of mind. It's my choice. I don't care that others might be bothered by it. That choice shouldn't be taken away from me. I shouldn't be required to make other people feel warm, fuzzy, and secure around me. And, keep in mind, just because we see someone's photo, doesn't mean a person can't catfish anymore. If someone wants to catfish another person, they will find a way to do it no matter what "safety" precautions are put into motion here.
With this new requirement, if I don't post my selfie, as time progresses, you can't guarantee I won't be persecuted by those people who feel simply because I choose not to show my face, I must be catfishing someone. By creating this kind of verification process, you are guaranteeing a huge division between people who are now friendly toward those of us who choose not to participate in the selfie revolution that seems to be rampant on this site.
Why can't you just verify with a phone number like the majority of sites out there? It will cut down on the numbers of accounts people use and, if the site gets hacked, we can always block a number from an unknown caller. With this current set up, we can't protect ourselves from someone who becomes obsessed with us. If your concern really is about catfishing, if someone does catfish others here, you'll have their phone number to give out to police if the person does something illegal. Its easier to track a person down with that, than their photo.
@SW-UserMeritable points 👍....I would prefer a phone number option.
SW-User
@BoobooSnafu It just makes more sense. It's in line with what other sites are doing and it works perfectly, allowing those sites to weed out the fakes.
@SW-User I support you. I live on a small island....low population. It wouldn't take much for someone to track me down. this thought terrifies me.
SW-User
@SW-User [quote]Why can't you just verify with a phone number like the majority of sites out there? It will cut down on the numbers of accounts people use and, if the site gets hacked, we can always block a number from an unknown caller. [/quote] I like this idea. Smart. This is why I want to marry you.
@SW-User The phone number is a lovely idea, but at least for my own person I'm aware I'd be tracked down in one online search should my phone number ever be leaked, or found by someone hacking themselves into the system/files. It's not a hidden number and online search results on yellow pages will not only show my full name but also the address I live. I'm not sure how to create a bullet proof system that gives safety around anonymity and verifications to be proofed at the same time.
SW-User
@SapphicHeart safety questions. literally no one knows the name of my childhood pet, nor is it personal information 😊
@SW-User When I made this suggestion the mod said the security question would be my mother's maiden name. They clearly don't get it.
SW-User
@AcidBurn yes, i saw. she also said they had to use photos due to «technical limitations», which i dont believe. but she’s since told me they’re discussing it, and both nuno and andrew have now said they’re looking into it so im hopeful
@SW-User Safety reasons? Everyone can grab the pictures shown inside the verifications of members? I wonder what safety reasons? It doesn't reason all this. And suddenly the recovery of accounts wasn't an aim? Something isn't adding up here.
SW-User
@SapphicHeart i was talking about safety questions. idk what safety reasons they have 🤷🏻♀️
@SW-User It doesn't add up. I'm sure they have been taken by surprise on the reactions, but when something is implemented as being nothing but risks of affecting the anonymity of their members it/motives should be presented in more genuine and sincere ways.
SW-User
@SapphicHeart I've been away since writing that. Now I missed who wants to marry me. They deleted their account. What if he/she was rich? I'm very disappointed.
