- World, backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has surpassed 10 million human verifications globally and boasts over 20 million app downloads.
- The project, available in over 160 countries, uses iris-scanning technology to distribute WLD tokens, with regulatory challenges in Europe.
World, the blockchain-based human verification initiative backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has hit a significant milestone: over 10 million verified users globally. Previously known as Worldcoin, the project leverages small electronic orbs to scan individuals’ irises, verifying their humanity in exchange for WLD tokens.
Launched in 2023, World aims to address the growing need to distinguish between AI agents and human actors in an increasingly digital age.
"As AI continues to advance, the ability to prove humanness online is only becoming more important," the project emphasized in a recent blog post.
World has expanded its reach to more than 160 countries, with over 20 million downloads of the World App, further solidifying its presence. A standout achievement from 2024 was its successful launch in Brazil, a country with over 215 million people and a crypto-friendly regulatory environment.
Despite its progress, the project has faced scrutiny, particularly from data privacy advocates. Last month, Germany’s Bavarian State Office for Data Protection Supervision ordered World to delete biometric data collected via iris scans. The organization responded swiftly, stating that the concerns were tied to outdated practices replaced in 2024.
Tools for Humanity, led by CEO and co-founder Alex Blania, continues to spearhead World’s development. The project’s ethos is to create a reliable system to confirm human identity as society increasingly relies on AI-driven technologies.
While regulatory hurdles remain, World is focused on expanding its footprint further. With operations in over 160 countries, the initiative continues to champion its mission of building a human verification system tailored for the AI era.
Edited by Harshajit Sarmah
