Sam Altman’s World Project Launches Iris-Scan Encrypted Identity Verification in the U.S.
Recently, a hot topic has emerged on tech forums: "How do you prove you're a real person?"At first glance, this may seem absurd, yet it reflects a very urgent problem that internet users now face.This is a widespread issue. I believe many of you reading this article have also encountered it - for example, when logging into social or shopping platforms, aren't you often asked to complete "human verification"? The experience is frustrating.
This is exactly why Sam Altman's World project launching iris-scan encrypted identity verification in the U.S. has caused such a stir.
- Project Background: From Worldcoin to World
The World project, formerly known as Worldcoin, was founded in 2019 by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and his partner as a biometric and encrypted identity initiative.The project proposes an innovative solution: using iris scans to create a decentralized "World ID", issuing a unique, non-replicable encrypted identity to every real individual.
On May 6, Worldcoin (WLD) launched physical locations in six major U.S. cities, unveiling the silver Orb device and its portable version Orb Mini, offering users a "scan once, verify forever" iris verification experience.Participants in the iris scan will receive 16 WLD tokens. Additionally, users who have already downloaded and registered the World App in the U.S. will receive a "Pioneer Reward" of 150 WLD. - World Project Overview: A Global Rollout of Decentralized Identity
The World project was launched by Sam Altman and Alex Blania through Tools for Humanity, with the core mission of solving the problem:"How can we verify real human identity in an internet increasingly flooded with AI and bots?"
To date, over 26 million people worldwide have completed iris scans and obtained a World ID, participating in network growth incentivized by the project token Worldcoin (WLD).
In this U.S. launch, the project has set up locations in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Miami, Austin, and Seattle, offering free iris scanning to all adults, along with approximately $40 worth of WLD tokens to promote local adoption and experience. - Technical Principle: Dual Assurance of Iris Scan and Encrypted Identity
Orb and Orb Mini Devices
Orb: A metallic sphere about 25cm in diameter, equipped with a high-definition camera and specialized light source. It can capture images of both irises in under one second.
Orb Mini: A smartphone-sized portable version, designed for use in community events, offline merchants, and mobile deployment in various scenarios.Iris Scanning and IrisCode
Captured iris images are not stored in original form, but are transformed through algorithms into an irreversible "iris hash" (IrisCode).
The IrisCode is unique enough to identify individuals, yet cannot be reverse-engineered into the original image, striking a balance between uniqueness and privacy.Encrypted Identity: World ID
After the scan, a decentralized identity (World ID) is generated on an Ethereum Layer 2 network, bound to the user's IrisCode.
Every verification action (such as logging in or KYC) uses zero-knowledge proof to prove the user holds a valid World ID without disclosing any biometric data.
Privacy and Compliance: No Storage, No Traces
No storage of original biometric images
The World project has always emphasized "privacy first." Iris images are instantly converted into hashes locally and then deleted. The platform does not store any restorable biometric images or videos.
End-to-end encryption and multisignature controls
All IrisCodes and World ID keys are generated and stored within hardware security modules (HSMs) or equivalent encrypted environments. Access is controlled via multisignature mechanisms, ensuring that no single terminal or individual can manipulate user identity data at will.
Open-source audits and third-party oversight
World has open-sourced its core protocol and SDK, inviting global security researchers and privacy experts to conduct regular penetration tests, and publicly releasing audit reports to increase transparency and build public trust.
Regulatory collaboration and legal compliance
Upon its U.S. launch, World has partnered with Richardson, Texas to build an Orb manufacturing facility, and is actively engaging with the SEC, CFTC, and state legislatures to ensure that its identity and token issuance meet regulatory standards.Use Cases: From UBI to Online Dating, Unlocking the Value of Identity Verification
Universal Basic Income (UBI) distribution
Sam Altman has proposed that, as AI replaces large amounts of human labor, UBI may become a mainstream social welfare mechanism.World ID's anti-sybil and decentralized design lays a solid technical foundation for distributing UBI via tokens or other formats in the future.
Fintech and simplified KYC procedures
Banks and payment providers can use World ID for "one-time verification, lifetime use", reducing repeated KYC costs and risks, while improving onboarding and cross-border payment efficiency.
Online communities and social platforms
Strategic cooperation with Match Group is currently under negotiation. In the future, users may use "verified human identity" status in dating and social apps to enhance trust and reduce fake accounts and harassment.
Offline retail and seamless payments
With Orbs and the World App, consumers can complete payments via a quick iris scan at participating merchants - no need for phones or cards - while reducing the risk of fake orders or identity fraud.Controversies and Criticism: Privacy Concerns and Ethical Reflections
Despite World's claim of not storing raw images, experts still worry that the "IrisCode" could be reverse-engineered in future tech scenarios, or cross-referenced with public data to compromise identity.
Critics argue that aggregating iris hashes from users around the world into a single network could result in a new form of "biometric identity monopoly", calling for stricter regulation or even bans in certain jurisdictions (Spain, France, and South Korea have already imposed restrictions).
According to the latest reports, the High Court of Kenya has ruled that Sam Altman's World project (formerly Worldcoin) unlawfully collected citizens' biometric data, ordering the company to delete all iris scans taken in Kenya within 7 days, and to permanently cease incentivizing data collection through cryptocurrency rewards.
The judge determined that the project did not obtain approval from the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC), and that the consent acquired via WLD token distribution was invalid - violating Kenya's constitutional right to privacy.
Conclusion
The launch of iris-scan encrypted identity verification by Sam Altman's World project in the U.S. marks a critical test for both technology and regulation.It offers a potential anti-sybil weapon in the age of AI-human confrontation, while also sparking deep reflection on privacy rights, data sovereignty, and ethical risks.
