World ID Fights Deepfakes on Zoom Calls

World ID, a project linked to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has launched a feature for Zoom enterprise customers designed to combat deepfakes by verifying users are human. The "World ID for Zoom" system uses a three-way match involving an Orb scan, a live selfie, and Zoom call frames to display a 'Human' badge.

Leading financial firms, including Bain Capital and VanEck Funds, are partnering with World ID, planning to install Orbs in their offices for employee onboarding and verification. This move comes as the company, Tools for Humanity, aims to address the issue of online bots and the 'dead internet' theory.

The project has faced significant international scrutiny. Authorities in Kenya, Hong Kong, and the Philippines have issued orders against Worldcoin entities concerning the collection of biometric data, citing issues with consent obtained through cryptocurrency incentives. Additionally, verified World IDs have reportedly appeared on the black market.

Despite privacy concerns and controversies surrounding the Orb's iris scanning, World ID emphasizes safeguards like Face Auth and open-source code. However, the inherent privacy implications of the scanning technology continue to be a point of contention, with some suggesting employment pressure may lead workers to comply.