Response to : The Rise of Identity Theft on Steemit. Here's my solution to the problem! @anyx @ned @dan

Hive account@anyx Hive account@dan Hive account@ned

Identity theft a real issue

I knew there was identity thefts on Steemit but I didn't really know how to bring it out like you just did in this article Hive account@anyx https://steemit.com/steemit/@anyx/the-rise-of-identity-theft-on-steemit (take the time to read it its a 2 min read and its worth it, might even open your eyes and make you think twice about upvoting anything)

I agree with most of the article but one specific part where you propose a proper verification channel

"We need a proper verification channel, and we need to start being careful. Developers take note, and community take note. This is getting serious."

We do need proper verification ONLY for those who seek to be verified because they have a big fan club. just like you see on facebook or twitter or any big social media out there. A lot of people out there feels like they've been cheated seeing these fake accounts and most of them without any verified photos win 100 times as much as they have been awarded for their own genuine introduction. Just like I did yesterday here

https://steemit.com/introduceyourself/@kuriko/steemit-gives-me-hope-i-have-been-working-7-days-a-week-for-the-past-8-years-as-a-newspaper-deliveryman-still-is-here-s-how-it

Not really an introduction but I opened my self and it was worth around 4$ , This is not a problem , the problem is that my own genuine content is worth 4$ but someone faking their story could possibly bring them thousands. What If I would decide that It's not worth doing genuine content anymore since it just seems so easy to earn by faking it with new accounts? ( I hope you get my point there)

It barely takes a minute to really notice a fake story from a real, we are giving way too much importance to introductions and the real problem lies there.

Possible solutions ( These are just suggestions)

solution number one

From now on , The first introduction text of any new account made from a certain date cannot earn from upvotes. Basically It can be upvoted and commented on but the user will not see any earnings since its his first post. It would be like a test to an exam you have to pass in order to go forward. I know its not a simple task but maybe there is a way to make an algorithm that could promote this option.

The major problem here is people have valued introductions over real content for example: I have read yesterday the quick introduction of a girl having a blast in vegas showing a verified picture of her ( could really well be another photoshoped steem picture) In this picture she has a crack of boobs out and she ended earning 1500$ so far.

https://steemit.com/introduceyourself/@lasvegasgirl/new-on-steemit-and-super-excited-im-livin-it-up-in-las-vegas-and-loving-every-minute-of-it-hi-everyone

You know when I wrote that I think it's ok that I just made 4$ on my post I completely mean it. I meant it is ok as long as posts like those above me are treated equally. We are seeing a bunch of girls posts lately basically promoting themselves in a sexual way and this seems to become a trend. I don't even care that someone makes 3000$ a post with a poor english but with some valuable content.

Did you learn something?

Did you enjoy yourself?

Was this post entertaining?

Then if the answer is yes go ahead and upvote it. The thing with girls showing half of their boobs with some content is most of the time they will get upvoted ( Yes most of the time) and end up with some money. These girls photos are everywhere on the internet and pretty easy to photoshop.

Solution number two

If this community wish to make it harder on these new fake accounts, let's build a reputation system. Its not an easy task but it could be something like that;

Marco has joined steemit recently and started posting, Marco has no reputation which mean he's earnings are caped.

Marco is now at the reputation level: Newcomer , Marco can earn up to 50$ on every post / and 5$ on comments

(now from here you can split the suggestions on how Marco can go higher in the hierarchy and be able to earn more every post)

-Suggestion of the solution number 2:

Marco Needs to earn at least 50$ to be able to push his max earning per post/ comment to 200$
Once Marco reach 200$ of earnings it is then pushed to 800$ and on and on with a Max level of 5-10. Where the 5-10 th level would equal no restriction on the earnings.

This 2nd solution could easily be bypassed if someone ( a whale) was to make multiple accounts and grow there steempower but I believe it would at least cut off a good portion of those who are trying to scam on a daily basis.

I have a more developed Idea of the solution number two, but I just got back from work since I do night shifts and I will try to find sometime to write it up! I am also working on a steemit related website of product and services made by the steemit community all in one place! Wish me good luck and give me your feedback on this!

See you later people!