Reddit Considers Worldcoin’s Iris-Scanning Orbs for User Verification – The Future of Digital Identity?

Reddit might be jumping on the biometric bandwagon—with a twist. The social media giant is reportedly exploring Worldcoin’s controversial iris-scanning Orbs for user verification, according to insider sources.

Why eyeballs? Worldcoin’s pitch is simple: scan your iris, prove you’re human, and get a shiny digital ID. Reddit’s interest hints at a bigger play—fighting bots without the usual messy KYC paperwork. But privacy advocates are already side-eyeing the move.

The crypto angle? Worldcoin’s tokenomics are as speculative as a meme coin, but Reddit’s flirtation could legitimize the project overnight. Just don’t ask how many Orbs are actually deployed—or whether this is another ‘web3 solution’ in search of a problem.

One thing’s clear: if Reddit goes full dystopia with eyeball scans, expect crypto Twitter to lose its mind. And maybe, just maybe, a few VCs to finally justify their bags.

Age of bots and AI fakes

The alleged talks come amid growing concerns over bots and artificial intelligence-generated content. Worldcoin’s technology offers proof-of-human verification through its eye-scanning device, enabling platforms to distinguish real users from bots and AI entities.

Worldcoin has seen significant growth and adoption of its technology, despite notable legal and regulatory bottlenecks in various jurisdictions. WLD is the cryptocurrency of this ecosystem. 

According to its official website, World claims to have over 28 million World App users, with more than 13.1 million verified as unique humans. Launched in July 2023, the project has received major venture capital backing, including from Andreessen Horowitz and Bain Capital. It was co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

The project officially launched in the U.S. in April 2025, with theWorld ID verification orbs going live in six key innovation hubs. World’s Orbs are powered by Nvidia chips.

The report of Reddit eyeing World ID comes on the back of Reddit co-founder and CEO Steve Huffman’s comments about AI and verification laws. 

According to Huffman, developments in the AI space and the risks posed to users means the company may have to verify if the platform’s users are human. Checking users’ age is also part of the critical know-your-customer requirements. Rather than have to collect and store the data, Reddit was looking to leverage third-party providers, he noted.