Sam Altman‘s new side hustle, Worldcoin, is closing in on an impressive three million registrations using iris scanning to validate individual identity. Worldcoin’s goal is to establish a decentralized and privacy-focused global identity protocol through World ID.

Worldcoin’s World ID, an open identity protocol verifies human identity. Tools for Humanity, a tech contributor to Worldcoin, has aided in developing an open-source hardware device which uses multiple neural networks to validate uniqueness and liveness without storing image data, issuing secure AI-safe Proof of Personhood (PoP) credentials on World ID. The protocol leverages zero-knowledge proofs to safeguard privacy. It serves as the foundation for digital identity in a world blending human-AI boundaries, bolstering security, governance, and societal empowerment.

Worldcoin’s aim is to create a network of real human identities that enables fair AI-generated wealth sharing via UBI while enhancing user experience, reputation systems, and democratic governance. It counters digital identity theft and promotes equitable resource distribution, especially in developing economies.

However, as Worldcoin gains traction, concerns have emerged about potential privacy breaches. People are also questioning the decision to opt for iris scanning instead of other biometric methods like fingerprints or facial recognition.

Is Personal Information Required to Use Worldcoin?

The short answer to this is NO. Worldcoin’s World App, the primary wallet for the Worldcoin project, operates without needing any personal information like names, emails, or phone numbers. World ID ensures anonymous interactions and lets users choose whether to share personal data with third parties.

“Worldcoin does not use your iris to identify who you are, only to verify that you’re unique,” reads their official website.

On the other hand, the privacy-focused Orb device runs neural networks locally for human validation and iris code generation, with images promptly deleted by default. The iris code is the sole outcome and doesn’t link to biometric data. However, if you want, you can choose to back up your images when verifying your World ID. World ID leverages zero-knowledge proofs to shield public keys and biometric info, enabling open and private use, and preventing tracking, even by governments or private entities, through Semaphore, an open-source protocol.

Iris Scanning Vs Fingerprint

Biometrics, distinct physical traits for identification like fingerprints and irises, vary in uniqueness. Entropy, denoting randomness in a system, plays a vital role in biometrics. The higher the entropy, the more distinct and unpredictable the biometric characteristic. 

Iris biometrics stand out due to their intricate structure, containing numerous unique features such as crypts, furrows, and pigment spots, resulting in remarkably high entropy. 

Research reveals that iris scans yield over 200 bits of entropy, significantly surpassing fingerprint scans and making it theoretically possible to differentiate among all 8 billion individuals. Iris recognition’s accuracy is notably superior to facial recognition, owing to the iris’s higher entropy. 

Iris recognition can even distinguish between identical twins due to the random gestational process influencing iris textures, unlike DNA-related features. While various factors can influence biometric system performance, the high entropy of iris biometrics is the most important factor in verifying global personhood.

The reliability of iris biometrics is enhanced by its protection within the internal organ of the eye, which is less prone to external changes over time. Meanwhile, fingerprints and facial features can change over time as one grows older.  

Nevertheless, Worldcoin‘s use of iris scanning for global identity verification demonstrates a newer approach to biometric authentication and its high entropy and accuracy hold promise for secure and equitable digital interactions. While privacy concerns persist, Worldcoin’s emphasis on anonymity and user control provides a reassuring foundation. The convergence of biometrics, AI, and decentralised systems shape a future where technological progress respects individual rights.

The post Why the World Needs Worldcoin appeared first on Analytics India Magazine.