Dr Didier Samfat, cybersecurity specialist: “Cybersecurity must not become a pretext for surveillance”

Presented as a weapon against fake profiles and online scams, identity verification on social networks raises many questions. For cybersecurity specialist Didier Samfat, the measure could reduce certain abuses, but it also carries significant risks for privacy.

The government presents “verified identities” as a response to fake profiles and abuses on social networks. Technically, is this a credible solution or more an illusion of control? In principle, consulting the population on this subject is entirely legitimate. However, do not believe that identity verification on social networks will eliminate fake profiles and abuse. The subject is particularly sensitive because it touches on several fundamental freedoms: the right to anonymity, freedom of expression and the protection of personal data.

Two situations must be distinguished. On the one hand, honest citizens who use a pseudonym to protect their privacy, while respecting the law. On the other, malicious people who create fake profiles to defraud, harass or manipulate others.

Technically, verifying an identity is possible. The process normally involves two steps: initial registration of the person and authentication to prove that they are who they say they are. This can be done using a phone number, bank card, ID or government digital identity. Mauritius already has some experience in this area through the national identity card system.

However, applying this model to social networks raises several difficulties. Mauritian users may be subject to constraints that foreign users will not necessarily have. This creates an imbalance and limits the overall effectiveness of the system. A scammer or criminal group operating from abroad could thus continue to create accounts and distribute content targeting Mauritians.

In summary, verified identities can help reduce certain abuses, but they are not a miracle solution. Presented as the definitive answer, they risk creating an illusion of control.

Can we truly put an end to fake profiles on social media, or will cybercriminals quickly find ways to circumvent the system? Not really. Malicious actors already have many methods to circumvent this type of control. The use of VPNs, foreign numbers, accounts created from other jurisdictions or even falsified documents often allows the simplest verification mechanisms to be circumvented. An individual based in Mauritius could thus create an account pretending to be a user from another country and continue to distribute harmful content.

The risk is