LinkedIn introduces free identity verification feature with Aadhaar and phone number

In India, the ID verification is performed by HyperVerge, a third-party identity verification service, that uses government-owned digital wallet for government IDs DigiLocker. This verification will be shown on one’s LinkedIn profile and is available for those with a valid Aadhaar number and an India phone number.

This feature will be available and free to all eligible LinkedIn members in India. While the verification process on LinkedIn is voluntary, being verified could significantly enhance a member’s credibility when engaging with other professionals, and can help open doors to new opportunities, the company said in a statement.

Ashutosh Gupta, Country Manager, LinkedIn India, in a blog on LinkedIn said, “With nearly a billion members around the globe using LinkedIn to connect, seek employment, and share knowledge, we recognise the paramount significance of safety, trust, and authenticity on the platform. Therefore, we are excited to introduce the new identity verification feature for more than 100 million members in India that will help build trust with your professional community.”

Having an ID verification means that the individual’s government-issued ID is verified by one of LinkedIn’s verification partners.

One can visit the “About this profile” section on his or her LinkedIn profile and click on ‘Verify with Aadhaar’ to initiate the verification process.

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On entering an Aadhaar number on the Digilocker screen, an OTP will be received on the registered mobile number.Instant verification by Hyperverge will be done using DigiLocker. If one does not have a DigiLocker account, he or she can sign up for it automatically. On completing a liveness check, a selfie needs to be taken to do a facial match with the Aadhaar photo.

By clicking on “Yes, Share with LinkedIn”, the verification will be added to the LinkedIn profile

LinkedIn does not have access to any sensitive data from one’s Aadhaar, the company said. LinkedIn only receives name, city (state and country), and year of birth, which is not visible to others but may be used for security purposes, it said. LinkedIn will also not have access to the documents in one’s Digilocker account, it added.

If one does not have an Aadhaar, one can still verify other information for use on LinkedIn using different methods. He or she can choose to verify through your work email, or workplace credentials.

If one is starting the search for a new job, verified information about a job poster or their company can help one to connect with them and explore authentic opportunities.

Currently available to select companies globally, these options will gradually be rolled out to more companies in India. LinkedIn is working to add more verification methods, it said.

The company recently launched ID verification in the US and will be rolling ID verification to other regions soon, it said.