Worldcoin claims 10 million verified users

Artificial intelligence is advancing at a rapid speed, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between humans and machines. Faced with this development, Worldcoin, now renamed World, aims to establish proof of universal humanity through a biometric identification system based on iris recognition. The company has just announced that it has surpassed 10 million verified users, a milestone that demonstrates its massive adoption and fuels growing controversy. Indeed, the project is based on a network of orbs responsible for scanning users’ eye data in order to assign them an unfalsifiable digital identity. According to its creators, this technology would secure digital interactions and ensure that only real humans access online services. However, several governments and data protection authorities are concerned about the potential abuses of this model. Between technological promise and regulatory resistance, Worldcoin is part of a debate on digital identity and the governance of personal data. Its success or failure could shape the future of online authentication in a world where AI challenges the foundations of digital trust.

Worldcoin, a project in full expansion despite criticism

Worldcoin claims to have reached a new milestone in its expansion thanks to exceeding 10 million verified users. In a press release published on January 9, 2025, the project team presents this figure as a decisive step forward towards universal and secure identification. According to its designers, the rapid rise of artificial intelligence threatens the reliability of online interactions, making it essential to set up a system capable of proving that a user is indeed a human. “As AI agents evolve, proof of humanity will likely become the cornerstone that enables ethical and scalable AI,” the company maintains in its official post.

To achieve this goal, Worldcoin has set up a network of biometric scanners called orbs, capable of analyzing users’ irises in order to assign them a unique and tamper-proof World ID. Unlike traditional identification systems, this technology aims to offer decentralized proof of humanity without requiring administrative documents. Its creators assure that this method strengthens the protection of privacy, since the identity of individuals is not based on any centralized database. However, this model raises serious concerns. Experts in cybersecurity and data protection highlight the risks of mass surveillance and the possible abuses associated with the collection of large-scale biometric data. While the project is growing in popularity, its global expansion already faces significant regulatory hurdles.

Growing rejection from regulatory authorities

If Worldcoin highlights its success in terms of adoption, regulatory opposition is increasing around the world. As of August 2023, Kenya was the first country to ban the project, citing risks to national security and data privacy. The move marked the start of a wave of restrictions, fueled by growing concerns around the collection and storage of biometric data.

A few months later, in March 2024, Spain suspended Worldcoin for an initial period of three months before the company agreed to completely shut down its activities in the territory until the end of the year. The Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) accuses the project of illegally collecting biometric data from minors and hindering users’ right to withdraw consent. This ban quickly inspired other European countries. In March 2024, Portugal imposed a 90-day suspension. The country highlights similar concerns related to the protection of citizens and the exploitation of sensitive data.

In May 2024, Hong Kong increased pressure by banning Worldcoin on its territory, based on concerns related to privacy and the risk of mass surveillance. A few months later, in September 2024, South Korea imposed a fine of 1.1 billion won (about $829,000) for violating personal data protection laws. Faced with these sanctions, Worldcoin maintains that its activity scrupulously respects local regulations. However, several regulators remain skeptical and denounce a lack of transparency in the management and security of the information collected.

The future of Worldcoin will largely depend on its ability to negotiate with authorities and prove the compliance of its model with the requirements of regulatory bodies. Without a clear and globally accepted legal framework, its expansion could be slowed down or even compromised.

The rise of Worldcoin illustrates growing interest in digital ID solutions, but repeated bans reveal major concerns over data privacy. For its supporters, guaranteeing proof of humanity becomes essential at a time when artificial intelligence calls into question the authenticity of online interactions. Conversely, its detractors denounce the potential abuses, in particular the risk of massive surveillance and excessive centralization of digital identities. Faced with increasingly strict regulation, Worldcoin will have to demonstrate its compliance with data protection standards and establish a climate of trust with the authorities and the public. Its future will depend on its ability to adapt to legal requirements and maintain its ambition of a universal identification system. The outcome of this debate goes beyond Worldcoin. It could shape the future of digital identity and influence the regulatory framework for Web3 for years to come.