Tools for Humanity, a company co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, is offering cryptocurrency in exchange for scanning people’s irises.
Once the iris is scanned, the company pays an average of 48 Worldcoins, which can be converted to local currency and withdrawn.
Their stated goal is to help people prove they are real humans, not bots, as iris scans are unique to each individual. However, the true motivations behind this project are still unclear, even for those who’ve received payment for their scans.
So far, over 22 million people worldwide have downloaded their app (WorldApp), with one million of them being in Brazil. Out of these, 10 million people have undergone iris verification, and 400,000 of those are in Brazil.
Brazil’s National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) is looking into whether the project is compliant with the country’s General Data Protection Law (LGPD).
In São Paulo, 38 locations are offering iris scans in exchange for cryptocurrency, and many people are unaware of the full details of the project.
Experts warn about the risks of sharing biometric data, especially given how permanent and unique it is, which could raise privacy and security concerns.
48 Worldcoins? That’s like 100 bucks…no way! Who knows where those iris scans end up, and how they could be used in ways we don’t even realize. Imagine waking up and someone emptied your bank account using just your iris scan!
The discussion is heated here. Some believe there’s no harm because the company says so, and it’s a good project. Others think there’s a hidden profit motive. Some even argue that we should let them go ahead and see what opportunities come from this.
Edit: 100 bucks means a lot to many people here in São Paulo.
It’s just one more piece of your personal data they can use however they want, based on their terms and conditions you probably clicked through without reading. They’ll combine it with your other data, like your fingerprint, face mapping, and even data from your smartwatch. Then, they’ll sell it to the highest bidder, with governments probably first in line.
The moment iris scanning becomes mainstream, they’ll already have your iris scan. Might as well make a quick 100 bucks, right?
They probably already know everything about you: your browsing habits, your email, your fingerprint, your face, and maybe even your DNA. What else do you think they have?
Presley said: @Andi
Wait, how do they have your DNA? I can see how a doctor might have it, but how would a tech company get their hands on it?
I’m not talking about this specific company. I’m just saying that as a former attorney for the state, my info is probably out there. If they want it, it’s easy for companies to get their hands on it.
AIMafia said:
What could possibly go wrong with this?
Interesting idea, but it could go so wrong. Biometrics for other things are supposed to stay on your device. But this iris scan is stored remotely, so they can ID you even if you lose your phone. My phone’s Face ID and fingerprints are gone if I lose it, so that’s a concern for me.
Brazil’s National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) has started looking into whether this complies with the country’s General Data Protection Law (LGPD).
“After receiving a $1 million donation from an undisclosed source, we’ve determined this is completely ethical…unless someone donates $2 million, then maybe we’ll dig a little deeper.”
@Marley
Just because it’s in Brazil doesn’t mean they’ll accept bribery. Brazil stood up to the richest man alive when they banned Twitter nationwide for not following local laws. They won’t just let a random startup do whatever they want.
As AI takes over and bots run rampant, we’ll need a way to prove we’re human. Biometrics are the best option. Plus, this could lead to a future where we get payouts from an automation tax, as predicted by Moore’s law.