World Network biometric authentication users break tens of millions! The intersection of digital identity and AI still faces Crisis of Confidence

The predecessor of Worldcoin, World Network, announced on 1/9 that it officially surpassed 10 million users. Although the original intention of World was to benefit all mankind with digital identity verification technology, the subsequent privacy and regulatory issues have also become the global focus of attention.

Breaking through 10 million certified users, the digital identity system welcomes the challenge of AI

World announced on Twitter on 1/9 that it has over 10 million users who have completed digital identity verification, making it one of the largest human identity verification networks in the world. World uses its proprietary device, Orbs, to collect users' eye iris recognition data to verify if they are real humans and confirm their identity.

And World also stated on its official website: 'As AI agents play a crucial role in the future digital world, we need to verify human identity to ensure that humans remain at the core of this ecosystem. This is to prevent the marginalization of AI development and to ensure that the use of AI conforms to ethical standards and principles of sustainable development.'

The user holds the Orb of World and curiously explores how to use it. Regulatory challenges continue, and countries around the world have issued consecutive warnings to World.

Although World has made significant breakthroughs in identity verification technology, it also faces scrutiny and warnings from regulatory agencies around the world due to issues such as personal data and legal compliance.

Kenya: In August 2023, citing national security and privacy risks, became the first country to ban the operation of World, setting a precedent for prohibiting World.

Spain: The Spanish data protection regulator (AEPD) launched an investigation against World in March last year, accusing World of unauthorized use of user data and collecting data from minors. World was ordered to suspend operations for three months and later agreed to extend the suspension until the end of the year.

Portugal and Hong Kong: Portugal announced the suspension of World's operations for 90 days in March last year to protect citizens' privacy. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) in Hong Kong also ordered World to cease operations in May last year, citing potential improper use of users' iris data.

South Korea: In September last year, World was fined 1.1 billion won (about 829,000 U.S. dollars) for violating the Personal Information Protection Act.

(Spain imposes a three-month ban on Worldcoin, South Korea launches an investigation: action will be taken if it is illegal)

How should digital identity and privacy disputes be balanced, and future challenges still exist

Despite World's aim to benefit all humanity, and the emphasis on the legality of its technology, claiming that all operations comply with global regulations, the digital identity verification system still involves controversial issues such as personal data. Critics believe that collecting users' iris data could be used as a means of surveillance, and even become a tool for authoritarian governments to manipulate. In the future, World still faces challenges in finding a balance between innovation and privacy while adhering to its original intention.

(The German regulatory agency requires Worldcoin to delete non-compliant data, and the EU GDPR has sparked controversy over digital identity verification).

This article on World Network's biometric verification has exceeded 10 million users! The intersection of digital identity and AI still faces a trust crisis. It was first seen on Chain News ABMedia.