The cryptocurrency project formerly known as Worldcoin, co-founded by OpenAI Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sam Altman, has undergone a rebranding, now operating as World.
Alongside the name change, the company has introduced an updated version of its controversial eyeball-scanning Orb device, as reported by The Verge.
“The primary purpose of the Orb is to verify a person’s human identity in the digital age, a task that many argue is unnecessary given the advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Individuals who register with the system receive a World ID, which can be used to anonymously prove their humanity online and also grants them a share of the associated WLD cryptocurrency token,” the reports state.
The new Orb boasts a simplified design with fewer components, making it more affordable and easier to manufacture.
It is also equipped with Nvidia’s Jetson platform for robotics and AI, although the specific reasons for this inclusion remain unclear.
According to Rich Heley, the chief device officer of Tools for Humanity (the foundation behind World), the streamlined design aims to facilitate widespread availability of the Orb.
To achieve this goal, World plans to significantly increase the production of Orbs and expand their distribution to various locations worldwide.
Additionally, the company is introducing a service that allows individuals to purchase or rent their own Orb devices, enabling them to verify the human identity of others within their communities.
“To provide access to every human, we need more Orbs. Lots more Orbs. Probably on the order of a thousand times more Orbs than we have today. Not only more Orbs but more Orbs in more places. In addition to ramping up production of the Orb, World will even let people purchase or rent their very own eyeball-scanning sphere so they can “start verifying unique humans” in their communities,” Mr Heley noted.
The reports further states that World is also expanding its operations to new countries, including Costa Rica, Brazil, Indonesia, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and others.
While the company’s ID services are available in the United States, its cryptocurrency token is not.
Despite privacy concerns surrounding the creation of a privately operated global database based on biometric data, World claims to have verified nearly 7 million “unique humans” to date.
The project has faced regulatory challenges in several countries, including Kenya, Hong Kong, Portugal, and Spain, due to concerns about its data collection practices.
In August 2023, Kenya temporarily halted the operations of Worldcoin. The suspension was triggered by concerns about the company’s data collection practices, specifically its use of iris scans to create a unique digital identity for each user.
Critics argued that the collection and storage of such sensitive biometric data posed significant privacy risks.
The Kenyan government initiated an investigation into Worldcoin’s operations to assess whether its data collection practices complied with local laws and regulations.
The primary concern was the potential for misuse of the collected data, including its sale to third parties or its use for surveillance purposes.
After a thorough investigation, the Kenyan government decided to lift the suspension on Worldcoin.
This decision probably indicated that the authorities were satisfied with the company’s assurances regarding its data handling practices.
However, it’s important to note that the company may still be subject to ongoing monitoring and oversight to ensure its continued compliance with data protection regulations.