Worldcoin Releases Open Source Code for Orb Software Components

Sam Altman’s Worldcoin project has unveiled the open source code for the main components of its orb software and introduced the privacy feature Personal Custody.

The orb’s software is now open sourcehttps://t.co/nk11m4vnQk

— Worldcoin (@worldcoin) March 22, 2024

“The main software components are now publicly available on GitHub under a dual MIT/Apache 2.0 license,” the announcement stated.

The release includes the code necessary for capturing images, processing them biometrically, and transmitting them to the World App.

According to the company, the implementation of the Personal Custody feature ensures that users “will always control their data.” Each package is signed with a private key and then encrypted using a client-provided public key before being sent to their mobile phone.

“Once the encrypted data is sent from the orb to the World App, unencrypted copies of this data do not exist anywhere,” Worldcoin emphasized.

The company stated that the next steps involve opening the source code of other software components and supporting decentralized audits.

The project’s main product, the World ID protocol, is based on zero-knowledge proofs. It serves as a tool allowing individuals to verify their identity using biometric data or a phone number.

In February, the team announced reaching 1 million daily active users in the World App.

However, the launch of Worldcoin has raised data protection concerns among regulators in many countries. Authorities in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Argentina, and Kenya have shown interest in the project’s activities. On March 21, Kenyan authorities rejected a request from the US government to lift the suspension of the project in their jurisdiction.

Previously, Hong Kong’s Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data reported suspicions regarding the project for potential violations of data storage regulations.

The Spanish regulator demanded that the company immediately cease collecting personal data in the country. In response, Worldcoin representatives stated that the project operates “legally in all available locations” and fully complies with information collection and transfer requirements.

Clear answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Worldcoin project. https://t.co/MkdxpIaEmV

— Worldcoin (@worldcoin) March 18, 2024

According to the website, countries available for identification include Argentina, Chile, Germany, Japan, Portugal, Singapore, and the United States.

At the time of writing, the WLD token is trading at $8.13. Over the past week, the coin has decreased by 12.7%, while it has increased by 29.5% over the past month, according to CoinGecko.

Back in January, Worldcoin developers announced an upgrade to the orbs. The biometric devices will become more akin to an “Apple product.”

Prior to this, the company introduced World ID 2.0, integrated with several platforms, including Telegram, Reddit, Shopify, and Minecraft, for passwordless authentication.