Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency and digital ID project co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has recently announced its plans to expand globally and offer its iris-scanning and identity-verification technology to other organizations. The company, which launched last week, requires users to give their iris scans in exchange for a digital ID and free cryptocurrency.
Worldcoin’s Mission
According to Ricardo Macieira, the general manager for Europe at Tools For Humanity, the company behind the Worldcoin project, the company is on a mission of “building the biggest financial and identity community” possible. The idea is that as they build this infrastructure, they will allow other third parties to use the technology.
Privacy Concerns
Worldcoin’s iris-scanning technology has been met with both excitement and concern. On one hand, it offers a unique way to verify identity and enable instant cross-border financial transactions. On the other hand, there are concerns about privacy and the potential misuse of biometric data. Data watchdogs in Britain, France, and Germany have said they are looking into the project.
Despite these concerns, Worldcoin has already seen significant adoption. According to the company, 2.2 million people have signed up, mostly during a trial period over the last two years. The company has also raised $115 million from venture capital investors including Blockchain Capital, a16z crypto, Bain Capital Crypto, and Distributed Global in a funding round in May.
Potential Applications
Worldcoin’s website mentions various possible applications for its technology, including distinguishing humans from artificial intelligence, enabling “global democratic processes,” and showing a “potential path” to universal basic income. However, these outcomes are not guaranteed.
Most people interviewed by Reuters at sign-up sites in Britain, India, and Japan last week said they were joining to receive the 25 free Worldcoin tokens the company says verified users can claim. Macieira said that Worldcoin would continue rolling out operations in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and “all the parts of the world that will accept us.”
Companies could pay Worldcoin to use its digital identity system. For example, if a coffee shop wants to give everyone one free coffee, then Worldcoin’s technology could be used to ensure that people do not claim more than one coffee without the shop needing to gather personal data.
What's next
It remains to be seen how Worldcoin’s technology will be received by governments and businesses. The potential benefits are clear: a secure way to verify identity without the need for personal data. However, there are also concerns about privacy and security that must be addressed.
Worldcoin’s plans to expand globally and offer its iris-scanning and identity-verification technology to other organizations is an exciting development in the world of cryptocurrency and digital identity. While there are concerns about privacy and security that must be addressed, the potential benefits of this technology are clear. It will be interesting to see how governments and businesses respond to this new offering from Worldcoin.
