Worldcoin’s Blockchain World ID – A Gateway to Government Control and Economic Manipulation?

Worldcoin is a cryptocurrency project founded by Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI. At its core, Worldcoin aims to establish a unique digital identity system called World ID.

To obtain a World ID, individuals undergo an in-person iris scan using the ‘orb’, a device resembling a silver ball. Once the iris scan verifies the person as a real human, a World ID is created. This digital passport serves as a means to differentiate between humans and AI bots in online interactions. Worldcoin utilizes blockchain technology to store World IDs securely, ensuring privacy and preventing control by any single entity.

With its launch, Worldcoin plans to expand its operations to multiple cities worldwide, offering its cryptocurrency token, WLD, as an incentive for users signing up in certain countries.

The launch of Worldcoin brings forth a technology that claims to differentiate humans from AI bots. However, skeptics warn that this “digital passport” called World ID could potentially become a mechanism for government control and economic manipulation. Here are some points to consider:

1. World ID as a tool for surveillance: The in-person iris scan required to obtain a World ID raises concerns about privacy invasion and the potential for mass surveillance, as individuals’ biometric data could be stored and monitored by authorities.
2. Centralization of power: While Worldcoin emphasizes that blockchains preserve privacy and avoid control by a single entity, the implementation of World IDs could lead to a centralized system where governments or powerful institutions hold significant control over individuals’ identities and transactions.
3. Government influence on cryptocurrency: Worldcoin’s close ties with Tools for Humanity, a San Francisco and Berlin-based company, raise questions about potential partnerships or collaborations with governments. This could result in governments exerting influence over the cryptocurrency, compromising its decentralized nature.
4. Manipulating economic systems: The integration of World IDs with economic programs like universal basic income (UBI) could give governments a powerful tool to manipulate and control the distribution of funds. The requirement for a World ID to access UBI payments could limit participation or enable governments to monitor and restrict financial assistance.
5. Reinforcing existing power structures: Critics argue that the implementation of World IDs could reinforce existing social and economic disparities. The control over identity verification could lead to exclusion or discrimination against marginalized communities, exacerbating inequality.
6. Unclear governance and accountability: The absence of a clear entity responsible for the distribution of UBI or overall governance raises concerns about transparency, accountability, and the potential for misuse or corruption of the Worldcoin system.

While Worldcoin presents itself as an innovative solution, the potential risks associated with World IDs highlight the need for careful consideration of the implications on privacy, individual autonomy, and economic freedom.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/technology/openais-sam-altman-launches-worldcoin-crypto-project-2023-07-24/