Should Social Media Require ID Verification?

Though he should have learned that requiring an ID in 2021 is grossly racist, Idris Elba says tech companies should require users to provide their identification to remain active on social media.

“People in the public eye get verified on social media,” Elba posts. “The process of verification requires them to prove their IDENTITY, so everyone knows WHO is speaking.”

“Social media companies should make this mandatory for all users,” Idris goes on. "Currently, social media is like boarding a plane and not having to show ID. That would never happen. If cowards are being supported by a veil of privacy and secrecy, then social media is not a safe space. If cowards want to spout racial rhetoric then say it with your name, not your username.”

Tech leaders are sure to scoff at a solution this logical. Requiring ID would drastically cut down the number of Twitter followers the blue checks have amassed over the years.

Without the support of the blue checks, Twitter would be a message board for a small, angry percentage of the country. And it can't get much smaller or angrier.

Deleting burner accounts that fail to provide identification would slash Chris Cuomo's following in half. While I hate to single him out in particular, there are not 2.1 million living humans who actually follow Andrew Cuomo's brother.

Think about it.

Elba's suggestion would also eliminate the process of buying Twitter followers. Let's not be cruel, though. Government officials have purchased those followers with their hard-earned money, funded by your tax dollars.

13 million???

Stringer Bell could talk sense into Avon Barksdale. But, as we know, Barksdale was more reasonable than Jack Dorsey or Mark Zuckerberg. I doubt even Bell could make them see the light.

Honestly, at this point, why are we giving local markets such a pass? How racist is it that a cashier may ask a buyer to provide an ID in order to buy a bottle of whiskey?