Tools for Humanity, co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, officially launched its biometric identity verification system, World, previously known as Worldcoin, in the U.S. on May 1.
This launch introduces the Orb Mini, a portable device designed to scan users’ irises and generate a unique World identifier, stored on the blockchain, according to a statement. The initiative aims to address the growing challenge of distinguishing humans from AI-generated entities online.
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Alex Blania's Role and the National Rollout of Orb Mini Devices
The company is led by co-founder and CEO Alex Blania, who frequently speaks at major tech and privacy events to advocate for the company's vision, according to World. In a LinkedIn post, Blania introduced the rebranding of Worldcoin to World, outlining the company's vision to build a global human network through identity verification, financial tools, and community, while unveiling World ID 3.0, the redesigned Orb device, and World Chain, a blockchain prioritizing human-validated transactions.
According to The Verge, the Orb Mini resembles a smartphone with prominent eye sensors and is a scaled-down version of the original Orb device. It is designed for portability and ease of use, facilitating broader adoption of the World ID system. The device was unveiled at the At Last event in San Francisco, where Tools for Humanity also announced plans to distribute 7,500 Orb devices across the U.S. by the end of the year, as reported by Wired.
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Strategic Partnerships and Expansion
According to Wired, Tools for Humanity has formed strategic partnerships with Visa (NYSE:V), Match Group (NASDAQ:MTCH), and Razer to expand the reach of its World ID system across industries such as finance, dating, and gaming.
Visa is collaborating with the startup on a debit card connected to the World App, enabling users to spend Worldcoin like traditional currency, while Match is piloting age verification for Tinder users in Japan, with possible expansion to other platforms under its umbrella, Wired reports.
According to The Verge, the U.S. rollout includes storefronts in six cities: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, Austin, and Nashville. These locations offer iris scanning services to generate World IDs, with users receiving 16 WLD tokens upon verification. As reported by Wired, the company says that over 26 million people have signed up globally, with 12 million users verified through the system.
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Privacy Concerns and Regulatory Scrutiny
Despite its ambitious goals, Tools for Humanity faces scrutiny over privacy and data security. The company asserts that biometric data collected during the iris scan is encrypted, sent to the user’s device, and immediately deleted from the Orb. No personal data is stored on the device or shared with third parties.
However, regulatory challenges have emerged in several countries. According to Bloomberg, operations have been suspended or restricted in regions like Kenya, Hong Kong, and South Korea due to concerns over data privacy and the ethical implications of incentivizing biometric data collection with cryptocurrency.
In response to ongoing scrutiny from privacy regulators, Tools for Humanity has open-sourced much of the Orb's technology to allow third parties to verify its safety claims, CNN reports.
As Tools for Humanity continues its expansion, the success of the Orb Mini and World ID system will depend on public trust and the company’s ability to navigate complex regulatory landscapes. The initiative may represent a step toward establishing digital identities in an increasingly AI-driven world.
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