Frequently Asked Questions

About the project

  1. What is VerifySocial and what does it propose concretely?

VerifySocial is a European civic initiative proposing that large social media platforms — already regulated under the DSA — accept the EU Digital Identity Wallet (eIDAS 2.0) as an optional method for account verification. The goal is for users to be able to see whether an account belongs to a real person or not.

➡️ Learn how it works in practice →

  1. Why through a European Citizens’ Initiative?

The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) is the official mechanism through which EU citizens can ask the European Commission to examine a legislative proposal. If we gather 1 million signatures from at least 7 member states, the Commission is required to respond officially. This is not a simple petition — it is a democratic instrument recognized under the Treaty of Lisbon.

➡️ Learn how the process works step by step →

  1. Why hasn’t the EU already done this?

The EU has already created the necessary building blocks — eIDAS 2.0 for digital identity and the DSA for platform regulation — but the two have not been explicitly connected through a legislative provision. VerifySocial proposes exactly this connection. Sometimes institutions need a civic push to take the next step.

  1. What stage is the project currently in?

We are in Phase 0 — building the citizens’ committee from at least 7 EU member states, the first formal step for officially registering the initiative with the European Commission. Signature collection has not started yet.

About European legislation

  1. What is eIDAS 2.0 and the EU Digital Identity Wallet?

eIDAS 2.0 is an approved European regulation that requires each member state to provide its citizens with a digital identity wallet. It enables identity verification online using official state-issued documents, in a secure way recognized across Europe. This is not something we propose — it already exists by law.

➡️ Learn more about it → Official law: eIDAS 2.0 Regulation — EUR-Lex (art. 57) | More info: EU Digital Identity — European Commission

  1. What is the DSA and how does it relate to VerifySocial?

The Digital Services Act is the European law regulating very large platforms and requiring them to reduce systemic risks, including coordinated manipulation. The DSA is already in force. VerifySocial proposes an amendment requiring these platforms to accept the EU Digital Identity Wallet as a verification method — adding a concrete tool to an already existing obligation. Official law: Digital Services Act — EUR-Lex | More info: DSA — European Commission

About functionality and technology

  1. How does verification work without exposing personal data?

Through zero-knowledge proof technology — a cryptographic principle that allows a system to confirm that a statement is true without revealing the underlying information. The social media platform receives only a confirmation: yes, real account — unique verified person, without knowing the user’s name or any other personal data.

  1. Can databases be created showing who posted what?

No — and this is a technical guarantee, not just a promise. The system does not create or store a permanent link between your identity and your social media account. Verification is a one-time confirmation event, after which no centralized record exists that is accessible to governments or platforms.

  1. Is verification mandatory?

No. Any user can choose not to verify their account. Unverified accounts can continue to exist and post as before. The only difference is that other users will be able to see that the account is not verified.

About freedom and rights

  1. Does VerifySocial affect freedom of expression?

No. VerifySocial does not control what people post and does not censor any content. You can say anything you can say now — the only difference is that others can know whether you are a real person or not.

  1. What about people who need anonymity — journalists, activists, victims?

Verification is optional, so anonymity remains possible. Additionally, zero-knowledge proof technology allows confirmation that you are a real person without revealing your identity to other users. You are verified to the system, not to the public.

  1. Could authoritarian governments abuse this system?

Three structural safeguards prevent this scenario: (1) zero-knowledge proof — governments cannot see what a person has posted through this system; (2) independent European governance — the system would be managed by an entity accountable to the European Parliament, not national governments; (3) strict GDPR framework — any processed data is subject to the most rigorous data protection legislation in the world.

About impact and limitations

  1. Can well-resourced actors bypass the system?

Partially — yes. Highly sophisticated actors may use stolen identities or pay real people to post. But VerifySocial makes this exponentially more costly and difficult. Large-scale bot farms — the most common and harmful form of manipulation — would become practically impossible to operate at scale.

  1. Why don’t platforms solve this problem on their own?

Platforms already have obligations under the DSA, but they lack a European identity verification standard to use. Additionally, more active users mean more advertising revenue. The economic incentive does not favor aggressively removing fake accounts. That is why a legislative solution is needed, not just platform goodwill.

  1. What happens if the initiative reaches 1 million signatures?

The European Commission is required to examine the proposal and respond officially within 6 months. A public hearing takes place in the European Parliament. The Commission then decides whether to propose legislative changes. It is not guaranteed that the proposal becomes law — but it is guaranteed that EU institutions must formally consider it and publicly justify their decision.

➡️ Discover how VerifySocial works in practice

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