Worldcoin’s Decided to Halt Orb Verification Services in India, Brazil and France

Worldcoin, the ambitious startup led by Sam Altman, has decided to discontinue its Orb-verification service in India, Brazil, and France just months after its expansion into these markets. 

The Orb, a distinctive five-pound chromatic sphere designed for iris scanning, was introduced as a tool for onboarding individuals in regions where traditional forms of identification are not always available. 

The decision, reported by Moneycontrol, was framed as part of a “limited time access” initiative by Tools for Humanity, the foundation overseeing Worldcoin’s development.

Worldcoin initiated a global tour of the Orb in April 2023, covering multiple cities in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The tour concluded in late summer and aimed to introduce individuals to the innovative identification technology. 

However, the company has quietly discontinued the Orb verification process in India, Brazil, and France. Critics have long raised ethical concerns about the project, suggesting it has the potential to become a “dystopian nightmare.” Regulators, including German financial authorities and the UK’s data regulatory body, have also expressed skepticism, with Kenya outright banning Worldcoin’s activity in the country.

🚨 Scoop: Sam Altman's Worldcoin discontinues offline Orb verification services in India

Sam Altman's crypto project Worldcoin has stopped offline ‘Orb' verifications and biometric identity-based user onboarding in India.

This was in the wake of huge number of people queuing up…

— Chandra R. Srikanth (@chandrarsrikant) December 21, 2023

Controversies and Regulatory Scrutiny

The Orb verification process, involving collecting private data such as iris scans, has thrust Worldcoin into various controversies. Critics argue that the project, launched with the mission to distinguish humans from AI online, poses ethical challenges and potential privacy issues. The withdrawal of the Orb verification service in India, Brazil, and France adds to the series of challenges Worldcoin has faced in its journey.

The decision comes after the security platform CertiK reported a vulnerability in the vetting processes for Orb operators. This vulnerability could have allowed attackers to bypass the verification process and operate an Orb without proper authentication. 

The regulatory landscape has been unfriendly, with German authorities launching a probe in 2022 and the UK’s data regulatory body threatening investigations shortly after the project’s launch.

The Future of Worldcoin and Global Collaboration

Despite these challenges, Worldcoin remains committed to its mission, backed by substantial funding from investors like Andreessen Horowitz, Khosla Ventures, and Reid Hoffman. 

Tools for Humanity’s foundation has expressed dedication to collaborating with global partners to ensure regulatory compliance and maintain a secure, transparent, and safe experience for verified users.

Worldcoin must strike a delicate balance between innovation, ethical considerations, and compliance with regulatory requirements. As the project adapts to these challenges, its future trajectory will likely be shaped by ongoing collaborations, regulatory developments, and its ability to address concerns related to privacy and security.