- Worldcoin, the brainchild of Sam Altman, has gained rapid traction as people globally line up for iris scans to obtain digital IDs and WLD tokens.Â
- Despite growing privacy concerns, the cryptocurrency is attracting users with its novel iris scanning feature, demonstrating a stride towards global digital ID systems.
As the innovative project of Sam Altman, Worldcoin has rapidly sparked global interest. The cryptocurrency has made an impressive entry into the market with a unique feature – a biometric verification process that scans users’ irises. This procedure, part of the Worldcoin’s identity protocol called World ID, has seen a massive turnout, with Altman reporting one person being verified every eight seconds.
JUST IN: People lining up to have their eyeballs scanned for OpenAI CEO's Worldcoin #crypto digital ID.
— Watcher.Guru (@WatcherGuru) July 26, 2023
A New Era of Verification: Iris Scanning
The verification process centers around the Orb, a device custom-designed to scan irises and generate unique identifiers for users. Data privacy remains protected as no personal information is stored locally on the device. The iris scanning approach has caused some eyebrows to rise, but Worldcoin maintains its commitment to operating within local regulations in every market it enters.
To accelerate the growth of the Worldcoin ecosystem, Tools for Humanity, the startup propelling the project, aims to produce 1,500 Orbs by the end of 2023. Currently, around 200 Orbs are in circulation globally. The firm also plans to transition from a pop-up feature to a bookable appointment system for user convenience.
Worldcoin’s verification process is already available in 35 cities, with an ambitious roadmap for expansion. The app’s availability extends even further, reaching 120 countries. As of now, over 2 million people have used the Orbs, a significant majority from Asia and Africa. This initiative aims to create a unique digital ID for each user, fostering an inclusive cryptocurrency system while still acknowledging the vital aspect of individual privacy.
Striking the Balance: Privacy in a Digitized World
Despite the unique value proposition of Worldcoin, its novelty has not been without controversy. Critics, including privacy advocates and digital rights organizations, have voiced concerns over the potential for data misuse and hacking. The underlying question of whether the collection of biometric data infringes on individual privacy looms large.
In response to these concerns, Worldcoin has reiterated that it does not engage in mass data collection and that images of users’ irises are permanently deleted post-verification, unless users opt for their data to be retained as training data.
Moreover, Worldcoin has drawn the attention of regulators, such as the UK Information Commissioner Office, promising further inquiries into Worldcoin’s launch in the country. Worldcoin’s growth and potential disruption to conventional norms certainly marks an interesting chapter in the evolution of cryptocurrencies and digital identity.
