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Social media giant Reddit is evaluating an unconventional approach to user verification that's sparking heated debates about digital privacy. The platform may implement iris-scanning technology developed by Worldcoin, a controversial crypto project co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
According to insider sources cited by Semafor, Reddit administrators are testing World ID's orb devices as a potential solution to distinguish real users from bots while maintaining anonymity options. The silver spherical scanners would capture unique iris patterns without linking biometric data to personal identities.
Worldcoin's verification system has already enrolled 【12 million】 users globally since its launch, despite facing regulatory scrutiny in multiple countries over data collection practices. The project recently expanded to six U.S. cities including Los Angeles and Miami.
The mere suggestion of biometric verification triggered immediate resistance across Reddit's platform. Thousands of users threatened account deletion, with one commenting: "We rejected this when Worldcoin launched—why resurrect a failed idea?" Privacy advocates warn such systems create irreversible digital footprints.
——This isn't about verification, it's about control—— wrote a moderator of r/privacy, echoing sentiments across multiple subreddits. The backlash mirrors concerns raised when Match Group announced similar World ID integration plans for dating apps.
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman previously hinted at upcoming verification requirements in a May post, citing needs to comply with age verification laws and combat AI-generated content. However, the company maintains it will preserve pseudonymity—a core feature that differentiates Reddit from mainstream social networks.
Industry analysts note the platform faces mounting pressure to clean up its communities ahead of potential advertising expansions. Yet the proposed solution risks alienating its user base—【62%】 of surveyed Redditors called iris scanning "unacceptable" in recent polls.
As the debate intensifies, Reddit must navigate between regulatory compliance, business growth, and protecting the anonymous culture that made it thrive. The outcome could set precedents for how social platforms verify identities without sacrificing privacy in the AI era.