Why we verify accounts — and what we do with your contact information.

Why we verify

Unverified platforms fill up with fake accounts, bots, impersonators, and scammers. They target real people — especially in communities where trust is already hard to build. We verify accounts because it is the single most effective way to ensure the person on the other side of a conversation is real.

This protects you from being impersonated, from being harassed by throwaway accounts, and from scams that rely on anonymity to operate.

What verification actually protects

• Your identity — impersonating another person requires a real contact method to bypass.
• The feed — bots and coordinated fake accounts cannot operate at scale.
• Private conversations — verified accounts are accountable for their behavior.
• The broader community — harassment via throwaway accounts becomes much harder.

How verification works

There are two paths:

Phone verification

We send a one-time 6-digit code to your phone number. You enter the code in the app. That is it. The code expires after a few minutes. If you do not use it, nothing is stored.

Email verification

We send a verification link to your email address. Clicking the link confirms you control that inbox. Links expire after a short window. Only the most recent link is valid.

What we do with your contact information

• Store it securely to identify your account.
• Send you a verification code at signup.
• Use it to help you recover your account if you lose access.
• Send you security alerts if there is unusual activity on your account (if you enable login alerts).

What we never do with your contact information

• Display it publicly — your phone number and email are never shown to other users.
• Sell it to third parties or data brokers.
• Use it for marketing messages (we do not send promotional texts or emails).
• Share it with employers, advertisers, or government agencies except when legally required.

No document scans. No selfies.

We do not ask for government ID, a selfie with your ID, a social security number, or any biometric data. Verification is phone or email only. If you ever receive a message claiming to be from AnnouPale asking for documents or a photo of yourself, it is not from us.

What to expect when you sign up

When you create an account, you will be asked to enter a phone number or email address. We will send a code or link. Once verified, you can set up your profile and join the community. The whole process takes under two minutes.