The launch of the controversial digital ID crypto project, Worldcoin, has stirred up a wave of attention and debate. Led by Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, Worldcoin made headlines with its promise to introduce a futuristic digital identity system based on iris scanning, differentiating humans from artificial intelligence (AI) entities.
The process — proof-of-personhood — generates a unique World ID, with all biometric data stored on a decentralized blockchain. The innovation lies in the zero-knowledge proof mechanism, which enables human verification without divulging the underlying data.
Despite generating controversy from its inception, Worldcoin secured an impressive $115 million in funding in May and amassed over 2 million sign-ups before its debut. The official launch, which took place on July 24, was met with a somewhat lukewarm response.
Critics of the project, however, have raised concerns about data privacy, questioning Worldcoin’s approach to securing and managing personal information. While the project asserts its compliance with relevant laws and regulations, experts have highlighted potential vulnerabilities in its design. Cybersecurity specialists and Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin have raised red flags regarding the methodology employed to generate World IDs.
The company now plans to make its technology available to…
