Worldcoin Introduces the Pilot of Its Face Auth Technology

Global digital identity and cryptocurrency project Worldcoin has unveiled Face Auth, a new security measure for identity protocol World ID.

Worldcoin is currently piloting this new technology in select locations, according to the press release shared with Cryptonews.

The team said it designed this measure to give World App users a greater level of security and fraud protection.

World App is a digital wallet used by almost 15 million people worldwide.

As reported in November 2023, this wallet app surpassed the one million active users (MAUs) mark just six weeks post-launch. At the same time, it saw over four million downloads.

Now, the team introduces Face Auth to its users, saying that it is a private 1:1 face comparison that ensures only the person who verified their World ID at an orb can use their World App wallet.

It compares a selfie against the images that the orb had previously captured and stored on the user’s phone during verification.

Therefore, step one is to take a selfie with one’s phone to verify with World ID.

During the second step, the tech compares the selfie against the high-quality image from the orb verification process.

Finally, step three: the system matches the images and completes the World ID verification.

The entire process takes place locally on-device, said the press release.

“The new security layer further puts verified World ID holders in control of their personal information (including the selfie) by storing it only on their phone, encrypted with their key,” it adds.

Therefore, the technology provides higher security for World ID as users perform actions such as online purchases, financial transactions, sign-in applications, and more.

New Campaign Unveiled

In addition to the tech to enhance fraud resistance, privacy, and security, Worldcoin has announced a new campaign.

The team has launched a video series to spread knowledge on its fundamental guiding principles, how it implements them, and why they’re essential in a world with fast-developing artificial intelligence (AI).

Face Auth is one element in this series, which also includes: SMPC; personal custody; zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs); trust in online interactions; preserving anonymity; and consent, education, and information.

Face Auth follows the launch of a secure multi-party computation (SMPC) system earlier this year, which protects potentially sensitive data.

Face Auth is the latest example of Worldcoin’s four key privacy principles, the team said.

The principles included in the project’s privacy white paper are security, anonymity, transparency, and personal control over one’s data.

“These ideas inform all aspects of the Worldcoin project, from the hardware used to verify humanness and uniqueness to the cryptographic technologies used to ensure community members remain unidentifiable,” the announcement said.