Worldcoin’s Sam Altman unveils World ID protocol

The Sam Altman–led crypto startup Worldcoin unveiled the World ID protocol and a software development kit (SDK) for decentralized biometric identification.

Introducing World ID, a new privacy-first digital identity that brings global proof of personhood to the internet.

Find out more and sign up for the SDK ⬇️https://t.co/jD7ztwbeGY

— Worldcoin (@worldcoin) March 14, 2023

The new product is based on zero-knowledge proofs. It is a mobile tool that allows people to undergo identification without sacrificing anonymity.

The primary method of identity verification is the Orb iris scanner. However, users also have access to less precise verification methods, such as by phone number.

Users can obtain World ID on any compatible mobile wallet. One option is the World app, which is in beta testing.

Orb verification is available in Argentina, India, Spain, Kenya, Portugal and Chile. Deployment of the scanners in other countries will take place later this year.

Worldcoin highlighted sign-in as the simplest way to use World ID. Other potential applications could include protection and moderation on social networks, voting in the DAO, support for unsecured loans and the distribution of aid.

The first demonstration of the technology will be verification on Discord — a popular social network among crypto projects.

To use the SDK, developers must sign up on the waitlist. It includes a web widget, a developer portal, a development simulator, examples and tutorials.

The Orb iris scanner представили in June 2021. The device drew a sharp reaction from leading privacy advocates, including Edward Snowden.

«Не каталогизируйте глазные яблоки», — urged он.

Later, Worldcoin representative Tiago Sada tried to dispel concerns by removing links between the biometric registration step and the wallet using zero-knowledge proofs technology. However, he says concerns about the project persist.

«Есть также много неправильных представлений. Большинство людей не знают, что ваши биометрические данные уничтожаются в Orb», — сказал Сада.

Worldcoin added that users themselves decide whether to store biometric data on the device. However, developers advise not to disable the option, as this helps improve the protocol.

«Единственное, что сохраняет устройство — код радужной оболочки. Как бы это парадоксально ни звучало, World ID является […] самым приватным способом идентификации», — считает Сада.

His argument rests on the idea that traditional KYC requires too much personal data. Sada also said that if a better method of identity verification existed, Worldcoin would have abandoned Orb.

Worldcoin was founded in 2019. One of its founders is Sam Altman — chief executive of OpenAI.

The project is currently valued at $3 billion after reports of привлечении $100 million from Khosla Ventures and a16z in March 2022. Worldcoin said it already has 1.3 million subscribers.

Earlier in June, Altman proposed to pay users for iris scans.