> Do we need at least some form of basic identity verification (even in the form of an employer link, LinkedIn, or similar)?
Not all free software contributors are employed. They might be too young (it's not unusual to start contributing to free software while still in school), too old and already retired, be part of a family where another family member is the working one, do freelance or informal work, or be searching for work at the moment.
And even those who are employed do not necessarily have it visible on their employer's website; for instance, I don't think my current employer has any publicly available page listing all employees, and I never had (and don't have any desire for) a LinkedIn account.
Not all free software contributors are employed. They might be too young (it's not unusual to start contributing to free software while still in school), too old and already retired, be part of a family where another family member is the working one, do freelance or informal work, or be searching for work at the moment.
And even those who are employed do not necessarily have it visible on their employer's website; for instance, I don't think my current employer has any publicly available page listing all employees, and I never had (and don't have any desire for) a LinkedIn account.