^{Source: iProfessional}

Sam Altman’s World ID Expands to the U.S. with Biometric Eye-Scanning Devices and Major Tech Partnerships

San Francisco, CA — Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI and co-founder of Tools for Humanity, has officially launched the U.S. expansion of his ambitious eye-scanning identification venture, World ID, through six new biometric registration hubs across the country. Previously known as Worldcoin, the rebranded initiative is positioning itself as a futuristic solution to online identity verification and fraud prevention.

The project’s signature device, the Orb, began operating on Thursday in Austin, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Nashville, Miami, and San Francisco, marking a significant step toward mainstream adoption of biometric digital identity.

What Is World ID and How Does It Work?

At the heart of the project is the Orb, a spherical biometric device designed to verify that a user is a unique human being. The Orb conducts a 30-second scan of a person’s face and iris, generating a mathematically unique and encrypted “IrisCode.” This code is stored using blockchain technology to prevent duplication and fraud, and forms the basis of a World ID — a secure digital identity that users can use to verify themselves on various platforms.

Currently, Minecraft, Reddit, Telegram, Discord, and Shopify support sign-ins with World ID, and users also receive free allocations of the project’s cryptocurrency, WLD, upon registration.

Strategic Partnerships with Visa and Match Group

At a launch event held Wednesday in San Francisco, World ID announced two major partnerships aimed at driving real-world utility:

• Visa will introduce a “World Visa Card” this summer, exclusively available to verified users who have undergone the iris scan process. The card is expected to integrate crypto and fiat functions, offering a modern payment experience backed by biometric security.
• Match Group, the parent company of Tinder, OkCupid, and Hinge, will begin piloting World ID on Tinder in Japan for identity verification and age confirmation. This initiative addresses longstanding concerns around safety and identity fraud on dating platforms.

While Sam Altman addressed attendees at the event, a spokesperson for the company clarified that there are currently no plans to integrate World ID with OpenAI’s technologies.

Addressing Privacy and Data Security Concerns

One of the most debated aspects of the World project has been its handling of sensitive biometric data. Critics have raised concerns about the risks of collecting and storing iris scans and facial information. To address these, Adrian Ludwig, Chief Information Security Officer at Tools for Humanity, explained how the project uses decentralized data storage and advanced cryptographic systems.

“We don’t store all the data in one place,” Ludwig said. “It’s distributed among multiple organizations, including several financial institutions and blockchain entities. Even if one database is compromised, the full identity cannot be reconstructed.”

This multi-party encryption approach, Ludwig emphasized, is a safeguard against large-scale leaks, referencing the Panama Papers breach as an example of what the project aims to prevent.

Funding, Growth, and Global Ambitions

Tools for Humanity has attracted some of the world’s top tech investors. Since its inception in 2019, the project has raised over $140 million in funding from firms like Andreessen Horowitz, Coinbase Ventures, and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman. The startup reached a $1 billion valuation as of 2021, reflecting strong confidence in its potential.

As of now, 26 million people have registered globally, with 12 million verified through iris scans. The platform has seen significant adoption in regions such as Europe, South America, and Asia-Pacific.

However, its ambitious growth targets remain unmet. Originally, the team aimed to reach 1 billion users by 2023 — a goal it has missed, though the long-term vision remains intact.

Future Outlook

World ID represents one of the boldest attempts yet to tackle identity fraud and ensure “proof of personhood” in an increasingly automated digital world. As AI-generated content, deepfakes, and bot networks proliferate online, Altman’s venture aims to provide a secure and privacy-conscious infrastructure for verifying humans in the age of algorithms.

With its U.S. launch now underway and key partnerships in place, the success of World ID will likely depend on public trust, regulatory scrutiny, and user adoption — especially as biometric technologies inch closer to becoming a norm rather than a novelty.

‍