Controversial World project uses biometric ID model with critics arguing it threatens self-sovereignty

From Cointelegraph

May 25, 2025 08:32 AM:

The controversial World project seeks to verify human uniqueness through iris scans and distribute its WLD token globally. Critics argue the biometric methods are invasive and centralized. Despite using MPC and ZK proofs, World’s reliance on proprietary hardware and centralized code deployment undermines decentralization, according to critics. World denies the claims, emphasizing user control and privacy. Regulators have expressed concerns over potential risks to users’ security. The project faced challenges in Indonesia after local regulators suspended its registration certificates. Critics warn about the risk of digital exclusion and deepening global inequality due to reliance on biometric data. World dismisses claims of becoming a surveillance tool and asserts its open-source, permissionless ID protocol. The debate extends to governance, with critics calling for more meaningful user ownership and decentralized systems. Secure identity systems are crucial as AI advances, blurring the lines between human and non-human actors online. The lack of reliable verification for both humans and AI agents poses growing threats to digital ecosystems.

Read more at Cointelegraph: Is World’s biometric ID model a threat to self-sovereignty?