Koo the First Social Media Platform to Launch Voluntary Self-Verification for Users

Hyderabad, April 6, 2022: The Koo App launches Voluntary Self-Verification, becoming the first social media platform in the world to do so. Any user can now self-verify their profile on the platform within seconds by using their Government-approved ID card. This move empowers users to prove the authenticity of their accounts on the platform, hence lending credibility to the thoughts and opinions that they share. Voluntary self-verification promotes visibility of genuine voices.

A visible marker in the form of a green tick will identify an account as being self-verified. Koo is the first ‘Significant Social Media Intermediary’ to enable this feature in accordance with Rule 4(7) the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

Users enter the Government-ID number, enter the OTP,  and on successful authentication, get self-verified with a green tick in their profile. The whole process is completed within a few seconds. The validation process is carried out by Government-authorized third-parties. Koo would not store any information during the process.

In addition to empowering users on the platform, voluntary self verification – by promoting authenticity – will also hopefully result in curbing online misinformation, hate speech, abuse and bullying.

Aprameya Radhakrishna, Co-founder & CEO Koo said, “Koo is at the forefront of promoting trust and safety on social media. We are very proud to be the first social media platform in the world to launch a Voluntary Self-Verification system. Users can get self-verified in less than 30 seconds through our safe and secure verification process. This is a huge step towards lending greater authenticity to users and promoting responsible behavior on the platform. Most social media only give this power to some accounts. Koo is the first platform that has now empowered every user to have the same privilege.”