Worldcoin, a project known for its unique approach to identity verification using a device called the Orb, has recently halted its offline orb verification function in three key markets: India, Brazil, and France, according to a report by Moneycontrol on December 21.
The Orb, a five-pound chromatic helmet designed to scan individuals’ eyeballs, was developed by Worldcoin as a means to onboard people in areas where traditional forms of identification are not always readily available. This technology aimed to provide a novel solution for identity verification, particularly in regions with less structured ID systems.
Initially, Worldcoin incentivized the offline onboarding process by offering rewards in USDC to local Orb operators. However, in a significant shift in strategy, starting from November, the company began issuing these rewards in its native cryptocurrency, WLD.
Despite the initial enthusiasm and the crowds that reportedly gathered for Orb operations in some parts of India, Moneycontrol’s report indicates that Worldcoin “silently discontinued” the orb verification process in the country about 3-4 months ago. Tools for Humanity, the foundation overseeing Worldcoin, clarified that the Orb was always intended as a “limited-time access” initiative in the markets of India, France, and Brazil.
Cointelegraph, seeking more information on this development, reached out to Worldcoin but has not received a response at the time of the report.
Worldcoin’s onboarding process, particularly the collection of private data like iris scans, has been a subject of public controversy and ethical debates. Critics, including those wary of the involvement of OpenAI founder Sam Altman, have raised concerns about the project’s implications, labeling it as potentially leading to a “dystopian nightmare.”
The project has also faced scrutiny from regulatory bodies. In 2022, German financial authorities initiated a probe into Worldcoin’s operations, and the United Kingdom’s data regulatory body expressed intentions to investigate shortly after the project’s launch. Additionally, Kenya has imposed a ban on Worldcoin’s activities within its borders.
Further complicating matters, a report by security platform CertiK in August revealed a vulnerability in the vetting processes for Orb operators. This flaw could potentially allow an attacker to circumvent the verification process, enabling them to operate an Orb without undergoing an interview or providing proper identification.
This series of events reflects the complex challenges faced by innovative tech projects like Worldcoin, especially those dealing with sensitive personal data and operating in diverse regulatory environments. The balance between technological innovation, privacy, and regulatory compliance continues to be a delicate and crucial matter in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
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