Reddit Explores World ID Integration for Anonymous User Verification Amid AI Concerns

Reddit weighs World's scanning orbs for user verification -- Report

Many users said they would delete accounts or consider moving to another platform if Reddit were to adopt World's verification system. Social media platform Reddit is reportedly considering using the iris-scanning orbs developed by World -- a project by Tools for Humanity, co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman -- for its user verification system. According to a Friday Semafor report citing two people familiar with the matter, the platform is weighing the World ID system as a way for Redditors to verify that they are unique individuals. The report suggested that the verification system could still allow users to remain anonymous if they chose to do so. In response to the report, many users said they would delete their accounts or consider moving to another platform if Reddit were to adopt the verification system, citing concerns with privacy and anonymity. "Tell me - should I be happy that Reddit may enter the crypto space or sad that they want to verify us users by a method we already declined when [World] was launched?" said Reddit user Savi321. "Odd world out there." World's biometric data collection through its "orbs" has faced pushback from many industry advocates and policymakers, some of whom have directed efforts to ban the project from collecting data from residents. As of May, the project reported that more than 12 million people scanned their irises using the orbs. Related: 'Humans can tell when it's a human' -- Community mocks Worldcoin's Orb Mini World announced in April plans to debut in six US cities: Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville and San Francisco. The Match Group, the dating giant behind Tinder and Hinge, has also said it will launch a pilot program using World ID for its apps. Visa announced in April that it would launch a credit card for World users who had completed iris scans. In a May 5 Reddit post, CEO Steve Huffman said the platform was going to need "a little more information" about users in response to regulatory requirements regarding users' age and addressing artificial intelligence, i.e., "to keep Reddit human." The post did not suggest any involvement in World's orbs at the time. "Specifically, we will need to know whether you are a human, and in some locations, if you are an adult," said Huffman. "But we never want to know your name or who you are. The way we will do this is by working with various third-party services that can provide us with the essential information and nothing else."

Reddit Eyes Sam Altman's Iris-Scanning Orb To Verify Real Users Without Compromising Anonymity: Report - Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL)

Reddit Inc. RDDT is reportedly exploring a partnership with Tools for Humanity, the company behind Sam Altman's World ID and iris-scanning Orb, to offer anonymous but verified user identities. What Happened: Reddit has been in talks with Tools for Humanity to integrate World ID, a biometric verification system powered by its Orb device, reported Semafor, citing two people familiar with the matter. The Orb scans a user's iris to confirm they are a unique human, offering proof of personhood without collecting personally identifiable information. If implemented, World ID could become one of Reddit's third-party verification options, allowing users to confirm their identity anonymously amid growing concerns over bots, fake accounts and AI-generated content on social media platforms, the report added. See Also: Apple May End Up Acquiring Perplexity Like It Did With Beats In 2014, Says Dan Ives -- Consumers Need 'Reasons To Upgrade' As iPhone Maker Falls 'Way Behind' In AI Race Why It's Important: World ID is part of a broader initiative by Tools for Humanity -- co-founded by OpenAI CEO Altman -- to distribute cryptocurrency called Worldcoin in exchange for biometric verification, aiming to establish a universal digital identity system. Earlier this month, it was reported that Reddit is gaining more visibility in Google's AI Overviews, becoming the second most-cited source after Quora, according to Semrush. This boost is linked to Reddit's $60 million content licensing deal with Alphabet Inc.'s GOOG GOOGL Google in 2024. However, analysts caution that the increased exposure may not lead to significant revenue growth for Reddit. Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings indicate a consistent upward trajectory for Reddit across short, medium and long-term periods. More detailed performance data is available here. Read Next: Dow Jones Breaks 43,000, Palantir Hits New Record Highs: What's Driving Markets Wednesday? Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Photo courtesy: Henry Franklin/Shutterstock GOOGAlphabet Inc$167.88-3.51%Stock Score Locked: Want to See it? Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock - anytime. Reveal Full ScoreEdge RankingsMomentum34.98Growth87.71Quality85.73Value52.19Price TrendShortMediumLongOverviewGOOGLAlphabet Inc$166.66-3.84%RDDTReddit Inc$139.15-1.42%Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Reddit in talks to use Sam Altman's World ID for user verification - Semafor By Investing.com

Investing.com -- Reddit Inc (NYSE:RDDT) is in talks to integrate World ID, an iris-scanning identity verification system developed by Tools for Humanity, according to a report by Semafor. The tool would allow Reddit users to prove they are real individuals while preserving their anonymity on the platform. The discussions come as social media companies face mounting pressure to combat AI-generated content and comply with emerging global regulations on age and identity verification. Governments are increasingly urging platforms to distinguish between authentic users and automated accounts. World ID's parent company, Tools for Humanity, was co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The group's broader mission is to provide universal basic income globally through the Worldcoin cryptocurrency, distributed to individuals who verify their identity via iris scans using the company's Orb device. Adopting World ID would mark a major milestone for Tools for Humanity and represent a shift for Reddit, which has traditionally prioritized anonymity but is now preparing to face heightened scrutiny over platform integrity. The addition of biometric verification could help Reddit build greater trust with users and investors alike. Privacy advocates have raised questions about the ethics of biometric data collection, though proponents argue such systems offer a robust way to counter bots without requiring real names. The move could help Reddit strike a balance between user privacy and content authenticity. If the agreement proceeds, Reddit would become one of the highest-profile adopters of decentralized identity verification. The outcome may set a precedent for how social platforms adapt to the dual pressures of AI threats and regulatory demands.