Rebranded Worldcoin Leans Into Biometric ID, Deepfake Detection

Sam Altman’s digital ID company has rebranded from its cryptocurrency-focused identity as “Worldcoin” to a more streamlined name – “World” – as it pivots towards identity verification technology. This shift, announced during a recent San Francisco event, reflects World’s strategy to move beyond cryptocurrency and emphasize its biometric offerings.

The company’s core technology remains its iris-scanning device, Orb, which has undergone significant upgrades to increase its functionality. World’s latest version of Orb, powered by NVIDIA’s Jetson chipset, provides higher AI performance and improved capabilities for identity verification.

The Orb scans users’ irises to generate a World ID, a digital passport that verifies human identity, distinguishing real individuals from artificial intelligence. Over 7 million people have already been scanned, with the company aiming to significantly grow that number.

The company’s CEO, Alex Blania, stated that “new advancements make it possible to offer new ways of providing World ID’s proof of human verification in more places around the world,” underscoring plans to distribute the device based on customer demand. New verification methods include the ability to verify identities using NFC-enabled passports.

Privacy concerns have surrounded World since its inception, with critics questioning the collection and storage of biometric data. Regulatory bodies in countries such as Spain, Portugal, and Argentina have imposed scrutiny or temporary bans on the company’s practices. Despite this, Blania noted a shift in how governments now perceive the importance of identity verification, especially with the rise of AI-related issues like deepfakes. World has already formed partnerships with several nations to integrate its technology into digital identity solutions.

World’s rebranding includes several innovations aimed at expanding access to its identity-verification platform. The company announced the launch of World App 3.0, which integrates Mini Apps, allowing third-party developers to build services around its World ID system. World Chain, the firm’s new blockchain initiative, also plays a key role in this ecosystem, supporting applications that prioritize human-centric use cases. These initiatives are designed to scale the platform globally, making biometric verification a common practice.

In response to rising concerns over deepfake videos, World has also introduced a service called Deep Face, which ensures that content featuring verified individuals is authentic. The technology can be integrated into various applications, further positioning World as a pioneer in digital identity.

As part of its broader vision, World says it aims to onboard a billion verified users, furthering its mission to create a secure and human-verified digital landscape.

Sources: Axios, South China Morning Post, NewsBytes

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October 18, 2024 – by Ali Nassar-Smith