One example method includes connecting, by a first client device associated with a user, to a video conference hosted by a video conference provider, the video conference having a plurality of participants; receiving participant information for each participant of the plurality of participants; generating, for one or more of the participants, an identity record corresponding to the respective participant, the identity record including video conference information, at least a portion of the participant information, and a cryptographic signature; appending, for each generated identity record, the respective identity record to a user contact list; and verifying at least one participant of the plurality of participants based on the user contact list.