Verification & Authenticity
Media.com uses identity and organization verification to help establish who is behind published content and strengthen accountability across the platform.
Verification confirms information about the publisher. It does not mean Media.com has fact-checked, approved or endorsed everything they publish.
Authenticity starts with knowing the source
Online content is easier to assess when people can understand where it came from and who is responsible for publishing it. Media.com uses verification, attribution and source information to make that relationship clearer.
Media.com verifies the identity of its users, including their official legal name, while allowing an appropriate public-facing name where permitted. Verified identity does not guarantee that content is accurate. It provides a stronger foundation for accountability by making the source of a publication known to Media.com.
How verification works
Verification requirements vary depending on whether an account represents an individual or an organization.
Individuals
Media.com may require individuals to verify identifying information before accessing certain publishing features. Identity assurance is carried out with Jumio, a global identity verification provider.
- official legal name
- a government-issued identity document
- email address
- phone number
- account ownership
- additional identity checks where required
Organizations
Organizations may be required to verify both the organization itself and the authority of the person acting on its behalf.
- legal entity information
- organization domain
- business email
- authorized representative
- ownership or control of relevant identifiers
- supporting documentation where required
Identity verification
Media.com uses VERIFIED™ to support identity and organization verification. Depending on the type of account and activity, users may be asked to confirm information such as their identity, contact details, organization or authority to represent an organization.
For individuals, identity assurance is undertaken using Jumio, a leading global identity verification service provider. Jumio checks the identity information and documents provided; Media.com determines what verification is required, and what follows from it.
Verification information may be used by Media.com to establish the identity behind an account without necessarily displaying all of that information publicly.
Visit VERIFIED™ (opens in a new window)
What verification means
It can help establish:
- who is behind an account
- whether an organization has been verified
- whether a representative has authority to act for an organization
- whether key identifiers have been confirmed
- who is accountable for published content
What verification does not mean
Verification does not mean:
- that Media.com endorses the publisher
- that Media.com agrees with the publisher
- that every statement has been fact-checked
- that every claim is accurate
- that an organization or individual is free from criticism or dispute
- that content is trusted simply because the publisher is verified
Verification is about establishing source identity, not certifying the truth of everything a source publishes.
Known to Media.com
Media.com verifies the identity of its users, including their official legal name. That verified identity is known to Media.com whether or not it appears on the profile.
Users may then display an alternative name publicly, such as a professional name, a creator name, a commonly known name or a permitted pseudonym. The name on a profile is a display name; the identity behind it has been verified.
This allows Media.com to support accountability without requiring every user to publish under their legal identity. Different verification and naming requirements may apply depending on account type, publishing activity, risk and applicable policies.
Verifying who speaks for an organization
Verifying an organization is only part of the process. Media.com also needs confidence that the person managing or publishing from an organization account is authorized to do so.
Controlling an organization’s domain is supporting evidence, not verification in itself. On its own it shows that somebody administers a website; it does not establish the legal entity behind it or who is authorized to act for it.
Media.com may verify the corporate email domain, the representative’s identity, their role or position, their authorization, control of organization identifiers, and additional documentation where necessary.
This helps reduce impersonation and makes it clearer when content genuinely originates from an organization.
Verification can change
Verification reflects the information available to Media.com at a particular point in time. Accounts may be asked to verify information again where circumstances change or additional assurance is required, for example where account ownership changes, an organization’s representatives change, activity appears suspicious, an account may be compromised, information becomes outdated, or identity concerns are reported.
Media.com may restrict publishing or other functionality while identity or authority is being reviewed.
Connecting content to its source
Media.com is designed to connect published content with information about its source. Depending on the content type, this may include the publisher, publication date, updates, version history and other source information.
Together, identity verification and publication provenance help audiences understand not only what was published, but who published it and how the publication has changed over time.
Verification signals
Media.com may display indicators to help people understand verification status.
Protecting identity and authenticity
Media.com does not permit accounts to misrepresent who they are or falsely claim to represent another person or organization.
Where Media.com receives a credible concern about impersonation, compromised verification or unauthorized representation, the account or its publishing privileges may be reviewed.
Verification supports accountability
Verification creates a stronger connection between publication and publisher. When Media.com knows who is behind an account, there is a clearer basis for responsibility, review and enforcement.
That does not prevent disagreement, criticism or competing viewpoints. It helps make the source of those viewpoints clearer.
Verification and privacy
Media.com may collect information for verification that is not displayed publicly, and identity information provided for individual verification is handled by Jumio as part of that process. Verification data should only be used, retained and disclosed in accordance with Media.com’s privacy, security and legal obligations.
When verification is questioned
If Media.com has reason to believe that identity, organization information or representative authority may no longer be reliable, it may request further verification or take temporary action while the matter is reviewed.
Learn about Enforcement & Appeals →
How it works
1
Identity provided
The person or organization provides relevant information.
2
Information checked
Required identifiers are checked. For individuals, this is done by Jumio.
3
Account linked
The verified identity or organization is associated with the Media.com account.
4
Source established
Published content can be attributed to a known account and publisher.
Questions people ask
Does verification mean Media.com endorses someone?
Does Media.com fact-check everything published by verified users?
Does my legal name have to appear publicly?
Can verification be removed or reviewed?
How do I report impersonation?
Trust begins with knowing the source
Verification helps Media.com establish who is behind a publication. Source information, transparent publishing records and accountable enforcement help people understand what they are seeing and where it came from.