Although I helped coin the term “cryptocolonialism,” I’ve watched the rise of Worldcoin with gag reflex-inducing incredulity. Sam Altman's vision of a world where human identity is verified through iris scans… well, it sounds like the plot of a dystopian sci-fi novel, doesn't it? Nevermind the facade of fighting bots and UBI. Let's talk about what's really at stake: our fundamental right to privacy.
I know that it’s very, very easy to get swept up in the hype, the promise of free tokens. But before you let some shiny orb scan your iris, consider this: are we really willing to trade our biometric data for pocket change? You know those quaint old Irish stories about the “evil eye"? Providing someone with your photograph, your likeness, was basically the same thing as giving them dominion over you. In some sense, Worldcoin evokes a new, fancified version of that very same dread.
Biometric Data Breaches Are Catastrophic
Think about your passwords. You can change them. You can update them. Now think about your iris. You can't change that. Once a bad actor has compromised your biometric data, there’s nothing you can do to reverse the damage. Let’s face it: no system is immune to a breach.
Equifax, Target, Marriott…the list of companies experiencing a massive data breach goes on and on. And these were only names, addresses, credit card numbers. Just consider the consequences of a massive biometric data breach. Identity fraud would be a whole different kettle of fish. It's not just about fraudulent credit card charges anymore; it's about someone potentially becoming you, accessing your accounts, impersonating you in ways we can't even fully comprehend yet.
This isn't some far-fetched hypothetical. It's a very real and terrifying possibility.
Centralized Control: Honeypot For Hackers
Worldcoin aims to deploy 7,500 of its "Orb" devices throughout the United States by the end of 2025. Their new ambitious goal is to get to one billion users. That dumps all of our most sensitive information into one centralized database. A honeypot, if you will, for every hacker and government agency eager to take advantage of it.
Think about it: one single point of failure could expose the biometric data of millions of people. We’ve witnessed, over and over again, that no matter how well-meaning, centralized systems are easily undermined. The larger the incentive, the larger the bullseye. And what would make a more fabulous, highly coveted treasure than a universal passport of iris scans to all the world’s yous.
Transparency? What Transparency?
Worldcoin can claim the best privacy practices all day, but they are unsubstantiated without independent verification. Where's the independent audit? Where’s the plain-language, easy-to-read description of how our data will be used, stored and kept secure?
We're handing over our most personal information to a company backed by venture capitalists like Andreessen Horowitz, Coinbase, and Reid Hoffman. These are not charities. They are not nonprofit organizations, but rather businesses looking to make a profit. What guarantees can we expect that our data won’t be commodified in manners that we haven’t begun to invent?
The lack of transparency is deafening. We’re being asked to take Worldcoin on faith, and I, for one, am not falling for it.
Discrimination Based on Biometrics?
This is where things get really scary. Imagine a future where access to jobs, financial services, or even basic necessities is contingent on having a verified World ID. And what do they do with people who won’t cooperate? What protections are in place for individuals whose biometric data is flagged as suspicious or problematic in the system?
The potential for discriminatory practices is enormous. Now, picture a system where certain communities are systematically excluded from accessing those same services. This would be possible due to conditions identified through their biometric data, creating a new kind of digital redlining. We’ve experienced firsthand how facial recognition technology has been incredibly biased against people of color, especially Black people. What’s preventing Worldcoin from reproducing and even exacerbating these biases?
Government Surveillance Implications
Let's face it: governments love data. And they really love biometric data. While Worldcoin presents itself as being decentralized and privacy-preserving, these claims are misleading at best. What stops governments from then rolling back access to their database?
We’ve watched it take place over and over again with other technology companies. Governments circumvent user privacy protections either by claiming national security concerns, exploiting legal loopholes, or through all out brute force. Unfortunately, even a project with the high ideals of Worldcoin is not insulated from these pressures. The myriad ways this technology can be used for government surveillance and abuse is just far too great.
Worldcoin is being rolled out in American cities including Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville and San Francisco. It plans to expand rapidly. This isn't some fringe project anymore. This is an alarming privacy invasion.
We need to demand greater transparency and regulation of biometric data collection. First, we have to fight the temptation to exchange our privacy for convenience. We have to be clear that our biometric data is not a buffet. It’s the most important measure of our identity. It’s worth fighting for and we need to fight to protect it. Before it's too late.
