[openknot]

Yeah, unfortunately multiple reports of the impersonator's account doesn't work in practice, even though it really should. Another source confirming this is from the Bleeping Computer article (source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/instagrams-da...).

I read that the fastest way to take down the account is for the person getting impersonated to fill out a form (via Instagram's help page at https://help.instagram.com/370054663112398), which unfortunately requires a picture of the person's driver's license/government-issued ID.

[Beldin]

> which unfortunately requires a picture of the person's driver's license/government-issued ID.

They should move to something like IRMA (1). This would ensure they don't get data except for the government's certification that you're really who you claim to be.

(1) https://privacybydesign.foundation/irma-en/

[kube-system]

Works great for any government as long as your government is the Netherlands.

[ChrisMarshallNY]

> requires a picture of the person's driver's license/government-issued ID.

I have no idea whether or not it is illegal to ask for this, but it is generally considered dangerous to send photos of your state ID.

[ghaff]

Not quite the same thing but it's quite common for hotels (in Europe in particular) to make a copy of your passport, for auto dealerships (at least in the US) to make a copy of your driver's license for a test drive, and many many other situations. I'm sure I'm forgetting lots of other cases. (And Twitter requires for verified accounts.)

[marcosdumay]

Is this a US thing related to identity theft, or is there a deeper reason?