

Wealthsimple forcing ID verification with Peter Thiel backed Persona ID
Just opened the app and was faced with this warning. Wealthsimple is forcing identity verification in partnership with Persona ID, requiring users to upload a picture of their government ID as well as a selfie, purportedly as a fraud prevention measure.
While that may be the intention, to me this is a huge red flag. Persona ID acts as an information gathering tool in Peter Thiel's efforts to establish AI powered mass surveillance, in partnership with companies like Palantir and Flock.
Voluntarily submitting these photos is not something I'm ever going to do, so unless I am able to verify my identity with an affidavit as some platforms offer as an alternative, I'll be initiating transfers out of Wealthsimple tomorrow.
I just wanted to post something to make sure everyone is informed about where their identifying information can be shared if they choose to submit it here.
It's very unfortunate we have to be vigilant about these things in 2026, in Canada - a banking platform acting to funnel the identities of millions of Canadians to the US under the guise of fraud protection.
Stay safe y'all