The flow in plain language
Most serious apps now pair a short selfie video with pose challenges. Algorithms confirm liveness; reviewers sample edge cases—glare, religious dress, disability-related variance—so legitimate users are not auto-rejected.
Privacy boundaries
Verification media should be retained only as long as policy requires—often 30–90 days unless an investigation extends retention. You deserve clarity in settings about downloads and deletion. If an app cannot explain retention, treat that as a yellow flag.
What verification cannot promise
It proves likeness, not character. Pair badges with behavioral signals: how someone answers boundaries questions, whether their story stays consistent. Teach yourself to privilege respectful pacing over flashy badges alone.