Worldcoin iris biometrics
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Worldcoin is a self-described 'digital identity and financial network' that combines cryptocurrency and iris scan technology to create a global digital identity system.
Worldcoin uses a 'chrome orb' to scan the irises and faces of people agreeing to sign up for a share of its new WLD currency.
Worldcoin was started in 2019 by Sam Altman and Alex Blania under the auspices of technology company Tools for Humanity (TFH). TFH claims it was established to 'accelerate the transition towards a more just economic system.'
The WLD currency started trading on July 24, 2023 under the auspices of the Worldcoin Foundation, a Cayman Islands 'exempted limited guarantee foundation company'.ย
The currency trades in multiple jurisdictions - except the US, in which the laws are 'unclear', Worldcoin claims.ย
Iris recognition
Iris recognition is an automated method of biometric identification that uses mathematical pattern-recognition techniques on video images of one or both of the irises of an individual's eyes, whose complex patterns are unique, stable, and can be seen from some distance.
Source: Wikipedia ๐
System ๐ค
Website: Worldcoin ๐
Released: 2023
Developer: Tools for Humanity/Worldcoin
Sector: Banking/financial services
Purpose: Develop digital identity
Type: Biometrics
Technique: Iris scanning; Facial detection; Vital signs detection
Documents ๐
Worldcoin. A new identity and financial network
Worldcoin. FAQs
Worldcoin. Privacy policy
Reviews ๐ฃ๏ธ
Worldcoin subreddit (unofficial)
Transparency and accountability ๐
Worldcoin is seen to suffer from multiple transparency and accountability limitations:
Limited access to protocol infrastructure, restricting access to independent verification and auditing of the system's operations.
Data usage, retention and deletion policies, including how collected biometric data will be used, stored, and potentially shared.
Governance structure. While the WLD token is intended for potential use in protocol governance, the exact mechanisms and decision-making processes are not fully defined, raising questions about who ultimately controls the project's direction and policies.
Legal and regulatory opacity. Worldcoin has faced regulatory challenges in multiple countries, but has been criticised for it lack of transparency about its plans to address these regulatory concerns and comply with diverse data protection laws.
Risks and harms ๐
Worldcoin's governance, field-testing and other operational activities have caused controversy and resulted in regulatory investigations, bans and market withdrawls in several countries across the world.
Incidents and issues ๐ฅ
March 2024. Portugal bans Worldcoin for 90 days for jeopardising citizen privacy
March 2024. Spain suspends Worldcoin over privacy concerns
February 2024. South Korea privacy watchdog investigates Worldcoin
January 2024. Hong Kong privacy watchdog probes Worldcoin
December 2023. Tools for Humanity withdraws orb iris scanning verification services in India, Brazil and France
August 2023. Worldcoin suspended in Kenya over privacy, security concerns
August 2023. Argentina opens investigation into Worldcoin
August 2023. Worldcoin field-testing methods draw controversy
July 2023. UK privacy regulator scrutinises Worldcoin
Research, advocacy ๐งฎ
Page info
Type: System
Published: April 2022
Last updated: December 2024