Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, has voiced reservations regarding the rushed development of Worldcoin’s newly introduced human identity verification project.
In a lengthy blog post published on July 24, 2023, Buterin raises significant concerns about privacy and the use of iris scanning technology. His worry is centered around the unintentional collection of personal information, including gender, ethnicity, and medical conditions, which could compromise individual privacy.
What do I think about biometric proof of personhood?https://t.co/yozo1buW24
— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) July 24, 2023
The Worldcoin project, led by Sam Altman and Alex Bania, aims to create a “digital passport,” enabling individuals to verify their human identity and differentiate themselves from robots. The verification process relies on “Orbs,” specialized devices that scan a person’s eyeball to generate a unique World ID. The project launched its highly anticipated WLD token launch on July 24, 2023.
Buterin also highlights concerns about the accessibility of World IDs. Worldcoin’s plans to deploy 1,500 Orbs across 35 locations worldwide could lead to a surge in registrations, with projections suggesting that two million individuals have already signed up for a World ID.
However, Buterin pointed out that the limited number of Orbs compared to the vast number of cell phones worldwide may hinder equitable access and create disparities in enrollment.
Centralization is another crucial issue raised by Buterin. He draws attention to the concept of Orbs and warns against the potential insertion of backdoors by malicious manufacturers. These backdoors could enable the creation of fictitious human identities and undermine the integrity of the system.
To address these centralization concerns, Buterin proposed measures to distinguish World IDs from different manufacturers. This approach would allow the swift termination of accounts associated with malicious activities, thereby safeguarding the system from potential threats.
Furthermore, Buterin cautions against the misuse of this technology by governments to exert control over their citizens. He highlighted that even widespread distribution of Orbs would not prevent authorities from banning their use or exploiting them for nefarious purposes.
While the idea of a “digital passport” holds promise, Buterin urges a cautious and thoughtful approach to its development. Addressing privacy, accessibility, and centralization concerns is paramount to ensuring the responsible and ethical implementation of this technology. As the debate continues, stakeholders must consider the potential risks and implications of a system that aims to redefine human identification in the digital age.
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