Frequently Asked Questions

General

Worldcoin is a free, privacy-preserving, open protocol intended to be the world’s largest identity and financial public network, available to everyone regardless of their country, background or economic status. Read more about the protocol in the “What is Worldcoin?” blog and in the protocol whitepaper.

How it works:

  • World ID: A privacy-preserving digital identity protocol using zero knowledge attestation to maximize user privacy. World ID is designed to help solve important, identity-based challenges, including proving an individual’s unique humanness in the age of AI
  • Worldcoin token (WLD) (where legally available + not intended for the US): A token providing utility and giving users a say over the direction of the Worldcoin protocol. WLD is the first token to be globally and freely distributed to people just for being a unique individual


Sam Altman, Alex Blania and Max Novenstern founded Worldcoin more than three years ago with the ambition of creating a new identity and financial network owned by everyone. If successful, Worldcoin could scale a reliable solution for distinguishing humans from AI online while preserving privacy, thereby enabling global democratic processes and eventually creating infrastructure for universal basic income programs.  


World ID

World ID is a privacy-first decentralized identity protocol. It supports multiple types of humanness verifications via proof of humanness credentials, allowing users to prove they are human and unique. World ID currently supports two such credentials: phone number verification and biometric verification. For biometric verification, a  custom biometric imaging device called the Orb is used to verify unique humanness and issue the PoP credential. 

Importantly, World ID is built in an open source and decentralized manner, allowing anyone to interact with and build alongside the protocol.

It may be easiest to think of World ID as a global digital passport that grants individuals a privacy-preserving way to authenticate as human online in a world where intelligence is no longer a discriminator between people and AI.


To sign up for a fully verified World ID, follow these three steps:

  • Step 1: Download the World App, created and operated by Tools for Humanity, from the App Store or Google Play in countries where it is available
  • Step 2: Follow the prompts to find a local Worldcoin Operator who can verify your unique humanness
  • Step 3: After verification, receive your World ID in your World App and use it in a wide variety of everyday applications without revealing your identity

The steps to sign up for a World ID are outlined in the blog post, How to Sign Up for World ID and Use World App

Worldcoin Operators are currently onboarding in additional locations. Please continue to check World App regularly, along with worldcoin.org/find-orb, if a Worldcoin Operator is not immediately available near you.


Once you have created your account in World App, you have the option to verify your World ID that lives locally on your phone at an Orb. Having an Orb-verified World ID can enable additional use cases that require that level of “personhood” assurance, but you can have World App and use a non-Orb-verified World ID for some purposes even if you do not visit an Orb.

In other words, to take part in Worldcoin, you are not required to visit an Orb. If you choose to verify your World ID at an Orb, you can look in World App to find an Orb Operator and complete your verification. The Orb will take images of your face and irises to generate a unique iris code. These images are packaged, encrypted, and “signed” by the Orb to ensure authenticity and security, then sent to a temporary backend storage for transit before the Orb deletes them. Your encrypted data packages are downloaded to your phone prior to their deletion from the temporary backend. Importantly, the backend cannot decrypt your data package.

All that remains on Worldcoin’s servers is a persistently encrypted iris code, a mathematical representation of the texture of the iris that is not linked to an individual’s wallet or World App account. Specifically, the iris code is split into multiple different secret shares that are stored and encrypted across multiple secure databases. Read more about this process, called secure multi-party computation (SMPC), in the blog post.

The World ID sign up process is only intended to verify your unique humanness - i.e. that you have not previously received World ID, and that you are human and not who you are i.e. your identity. 


World ID, a global identity protocol powered by the Worldcoin ecosystem, is designed to enable anonymous actions. When you use World ID, for instance, to verify you are a unique human being with a third-party service, your World ID is not revealed to the third party. Through zero knowledge attestation you only reveal that you have a valid World ID. Following a passport analogy, verifications with World ID are essentially stamps that allow the World ID holder to prove that a specific passport has been verified without revealing information about the passport itself. In addition, World ID is not connected to your self-custodial cryptocurrency wallet within World App—both are separate key pairs with separate keys that serve different purposes.

Learn more about World App and World ID.


Sign in with Worldcoin: World ID allows you to Sign in with Worldcoin to authenticate into web, mobile, and decentralized applications and privately attest that you are a unique human and not a bot or AI system. By signing in with Worldcoin to apps and services you do not need to disclose any personal information such as a phone number or email address. The application or service will only know you are a unique human; your actions are not trackable. Today, Sign in with Worldcoin is available through integrations with third parties such as Okta’s Auth0.

Claim with Worldcoin: You can also claim certain products and services with Worldcoin, particularly where a third-party wants to ensure that the product or service is only claimed once by each person. By claiming with Worldcoin, you are signaling that you are only claiming once, and cannot claim multiple times. Today, claim with Worldcoin is available through services like Discord, where you can claim a unique badge proving you are a unique human and not a bot or AI system.

Future uses: The Worldcoin SDK is open-source and available for anyone to build using Worldcoin. Future uses will continue to emerge as more developers use Worldcoin as a proof of humanness verification protocol and signal.


World ID is designed to enable anonymous actions. It is not connected to your self-custodial cryptocurrency wallet—both are separate key pairs  with separate keys that serve different purposes. Anyone can use World ID without providing information such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, social profiles, etc.

A person’s World ID is generated on the user’s device before any biometric checks take place. Biometrics are only used once, at an Orb, to verify a person’s uniqueness and to issue a verified World ID. No biometric data is shared with any third-party when using World ID. 

Actions taken with World ID are not linked to a person's iris images or iris code, and third parties cannot link different actions taken with someone’s World ID through the World ID data.


When a person uses their World ID, a zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) is used to prevent third parties from knowing the person’s public key or tracking the person across applications. ZKPs also protect the use of World ID from being tied to any biometric data or the iris code of the person. 

World ID uses an open source protocol known as Semaphore that, among other things, confirms that the World ID data itself cannot be tracked to a person’s identity nor to verifications in other applications. More information about ZKPs and how they are relevant to Worldcoin is available in the blog post, “Intro to zero-knowledge proofs, Semaphore and their application in World ID.” 

An introduction to privacy at Worldcoin can be found here, and a technical deep dive on privacy can be found here.


You can easily backup your account by selecting iCloud (iOS) or Google Drive (Android) backup in the wallet on your World App. For a step-by-step guide, click here.


If you can't find the answers to your questions and are still having trouble with a specific issue, you can contact our Support Team through World App. Select Support in the Settings tab, and choose Contact Support. Be sure to leave as much detail as you can and provide any screenshots that will help describe your issue. For a step-by-step guide, click here.


World ID is an open source, permissionless protocol that anyone can use. All of the developer docs are freely available to the public. Importantly, as stated above, ZKPs are used to prevent developers—those contributing to Worldcoin itself, as well as those developing third-party applications, including government applications—from knowing a World ID holder’s public key or tracking the person across applications. They also protect the use of World ID from being tied to any biometric data i.e. the iris code of the person.

World ID uses an open source protocol known as Semaphore that, among other things, confirms the World ID data itself cannot be tracked to a person’s identity nor to verifications in other applications.


World ID offers unmatched control over information, including Personal Custody.

“Personal Custody" means all information generated at the Orb when you verify your World ID (images, metadata and derived data, including the iris code) is held on your device. And neither the Worldcoin Foundation nor Tools for Humanity can decrypt the encrypted files when they are passing through their servers to arrive at your phone. The system has been designed to keep your data secure even in the case your phone gets compromised.

World ID holders can also unverify their World ID at any time. This includes the permanent deletion of their individually encrypted SMPC shares of the iris code.


World App

World App is the first wallet created for the Worldcoin project. It gives people access to a private, decentralized digital identity through World ID, and access to decentralized finance through cryptocurrencies. 

World App was developed and is operated by Tools for Humanity, the same technology company that developed the Orb—a privacy-preserving biometric imaging device that verifies World IDs for people.


World App is the first app that supports World ID—a global identity protocol that enables people to digitally prove their uniqueness and humanness in a privacy-preserving way. With World App, anyone can sign up for a verified World ID at an Orb and then use it to seamlessly authenticate actions with their World ID - actions like signing in to websites, apps and crypto dapps without sharing personal data like names or email addresses.

The World App self-custodial cryptocurrency wallet also gives people access to decentralized finance. Individuals can use it to save, send, deposit and withdraw cryptocurrencies. This is made possible in part through partnerships with reputable services providers, like centralized exchanges and crypto payment processors.


World App is designed to be used by everyone. 

For starters, World ID holders can enjoy gas-free transactions on World App. It also has a user experience that emphasizes simplicity and is intuitive for those who may never have engaged with crypto. Instead of giving people access to every advanced functionality, World App keeps its UX clean and intuitive by showing users only the parts of the Worldcoin and Ethereum ecosystems that are likely to be most helpful in their everyday lives.

At around 18MB, the native iOS and Android apps are significantly smaller than the industry average. To maximize inclusivity, they’re localized to multiple languages and support most active smartphones in the world (98.2% of Androids and 94.5% of iPhones), including some more than 10 years old.


World App leverages the composability of Ethereum, via the Optimism mainnet, to mix and match some of the best, most trusted open protocols and APIs into a single, easy-to-use app.

For example, World App wallets use account abstraction through SAFE contracts to increase security and enable gasless transactions. ENS usernames support friendly and easy peer-to-peer payments. Token trading is available through the Uniswap protocol, and Circle’s USDC enables users around the world to have always-on access to a fully-backed digital dollar. Frictionless fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat exchange in many countries is provided by licensed or registered partners around the world, including Ramp and MoonPay.



Round the clock live support is available within Settings > Support of World App. In case you are having trouble reaching the Settings tab, simply shake your device a few times and then select Report a Problem. You can also visit the World App Help Center at any time to find answers to commonly asked questions.


No data like name, e-mail address or phone number must be shared for a user to download the World App and create an account. You may share further information with TFH, such as phone number to enable phone verification, but such information is not required.

Learn more about World App and World ID.


The Orb

The Orb, developed by Tools for Humanity , is the first custom biometric imaging device built for the Worldcoin project to verify humanness and uniqueness in a secure and privacy-preserving way.

The Orb provides a secure way of reliably determining uniqueness and humanness at a scale capable of supporting billions of individuals while also preserving privacy. By taking an image of your face and eyes (which are deleted by default once the Orb verifies your humanness and uniqueness), the Orb can verify your World ID. It is a necessary and integral part of Worldcoin so that we can ensure no one signs up for an Orb verified World ID twice.

Additional information about the Orb can be found on the Worldcoin blog here.


The Orb is used to verify a person’s humanness and uniqueness as part of the World ID protocol. It does this by first ensuring the person standing in front of it is a human. Then an image of the eye is converted into an iris code, which is a digital representation of the most important features of the texture of the iris. Subsequently, all images and image derivatives are packaged, encrypted, and “signed” by the Orb to ensure authenticity and security, then sent to the user’s phone through the Orb backend server (importantly the backend cannot decrypt the data). All images are then deleted from the Orb. To prioritize privacy, all of the humanness verification occurs on the Orb itself without sending data to the Orb backend.

Anyone can verify their humanness at an Orb without providing information such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, social profiles, etc.

Further information about proof of humanness can be found here, and answers to frequently asked questions about World ID can be found here.


Not all biometrics are the same, and their utility can vary widely based on things like entropy and reliability at scale. Because irises have higher entropy than fingerprints and facial recognition, and are less susceptible to change based on external factors, iris biometrics were identified as the most privacy-preserving and fraud-resistant way to verify personhood and uniqueness.


No. The Orb takes a non-invasive image (photograph) of a user’s face and iris. In addition, the Orb complies with the specifications set forth in international standards which also includes eye safety (IEC-62741).

The technology the Orb uses to verify uniqueness and humanness is open to the public for review and input. The Worldcoin community (including the Worldcoin Foundation) will continue working to ensure safety and privacy are at the center of all advancements.



Privacy is the bedrock of the Worldcoin project. It has built a robust, uncompromising privacy program to provide verified humans access to goods and services through the use of privacy-preserving humanness attestations. By default, any images captured by the Orb during the humanness verification process are promptly deleted. Unless individuals voluntarily opt in to have their data stored, all that remains is an iris code, a mathematical representation of the texture of the iris that is not linked to an individual’s wallet or World App account, stored in an encrypted database.

Subsequently, all images and image derivatives are packaged, encrypted, and “signed” by the Orb to ensure authenticity and security, then sent to the user’s phone through the Orb backend server (importantly the backend cannot decrypt the data). All images are then deleted from the Orb.

All that remains on Worldcoin’s servers is a persistently encrypted encrypted iris code, a mathematical representation of the texture of the iris that is not linked to an individual’s wallet or World App account. Specifically, the iris code is split into multiple different secret shares that are stored and encrypted across multiple secure databases (read more about SMPC in the blog post).


The Orb takes images of a person's face and eyes to ensure humanness and uniqueness. These images are not stored on the Orb but sent to the user’s device.

All that remains on Worldcoin’s servers is a persistently encrypted iris code, a mathematical representation of the texture of the iris that is not linked to an individual’s wallet or World App account. Specifically, the iris code is split into multiple different secret shares that are stored and encrypted across multiple secure databases (read more about SMPC in the blog post).

A deeper dive on the project’s privacy protections can be found here.


The Orb is equipped with a powerful computing unit able to run several neural networks concurrently in real-time. This enables it to validate a person’s humanness locally on the device without needing to process unencrypted images on the Orb backend.

Similarly, a person’s iris code (a mathematical representation of the iris texture) is generated locally on the Orb as well and compared against other iris codes without decrypting them. Each iris code is split into multiple different secret shares that are stored and encrypted across multiple secure databases (read more about SMPC in the blog post).

Subsequently, all images and image derivatives are packaged, encrypted, and “signed” by the Orb to ensure authenticity and security, then sent to the user’s phone through the Orb backend server (importantly the backend cannot decrypt the data). All images are then deleted from the Orb.

More details on the iris code can be found in the technical implementation documentation of the Worldcoin Whitepaper.

Learn more about the Orb.


In line with the Worldcoin project’s commitment to privacy protection, the Orb has robust security features to prevent spoofing, tampering or hacking.

Each Orb is provisioned with a private key, which is stored in secure hardware, that authenticates the Orb and signs important messages. Fraud prevention algorithms based on multispectral sensors run locally on the device for maximum privacy. Additionally, a red team supporting the Worldcoin project is continuously testing the device, and several teams are working to further increase the security of the Orb every day.


Worldcoin is committed to open sourcing as much of its technology as possible and ultimately to fully decentralizing the project. This is done not only for transparency and security, but to enable other teams that want to build devices for the Worldcoin protocol in the future.

As an important step, all relevant hardware-related engineering files for the Orb’s current version have been released in a GitHub repository. You can download Eagle (PCBs) to view the files and use Autodesk’s CAD viewers for free.

All files are published under the Worldcoin Responsible Use License, which is based on the MIT Open Source License and inspired by Uniswap’s BSL and Electric Coin Co.’s BOSL. The license balances transparency and decentralization while preventing capture and reducing the risk that Worldcoin technology could be used in harmful ways. The firmware will also, whenever possible without compromising security, be open sourced or released under the Responsible Use License in the future.


No. In countries where World App is available, it is free to use and does not require a World ID.


Worldcoin project contributors have worked via both in-app and in-person attestations to ensure that only individuals 18+ have access to the Worldcoin network. To further these efforts, the project is rolling out an on-site age verification check at all orb locations prior to World ID verification. 

This check will be performed by third party personnel before entering the venue. It will explicitly not include the storage, recording or transmission of any information. This way, Worldcoin and project contributors can ensure that they will not know who an individual is, maintaining the project’s steadfast commitment to preserving personal privacy.


Worldcoin Operations


Worldcoin Operators operate Orbs all around the world and can earn WLD tokens by introducing Worldcoin to their communities and helping people securely sign up for World ID via the Orb. The Operators are not employees of the Worldcoin Foundation or Tools for Humanity and run their operations independently while being expected to follow a strict Code of Conduct that emphasizes complying with laws and protecting the public. Learn more about Worldcoin Operators and how to become one from this post on the Worldcoin blog.


Worldcoin Operator team members can be seen throughout the community. These individuals facilitate the World ID sign-up process by helping users download World App, assisting in account set up, verifying individuals for uniqueness via the Orb and providing educational resources. Worldcoin also provides 24/7 support to users through an online help center and live customer support agents via World App.


To find a worldcoin Operator, download World App to locate a Worldcoin Operator near you. You can also find nearby Worldcoin Operators at https://worldcoin.org/find-orb.

Worldcoin Operators are currently onboarding in additional locations. Please continue to check back regularly in World App if a Worldcoin Operator is not immediately available near you.


Visit the Worldcoin Operator application page here and apply!

Worldcoin Operators are currently available in a limited number of locations, but the project plans to offer additional locations in the future.


Worldcoin was created to give everyone access to the global economy, and it operates in a wide range of countries across five continents. Such diversity is important because, in order to equally serve as many people as possible, the technology must be able to work even in remote and often underserved locations.

Seventy percent of total verified Worldcoin users (users on World App with an Orb-verified World ID) come from low and middle and income countries, even though a higher proportion (84%) of the world’s population reside in low and middle income countries, according to the World Bank. The project is genuinely trying to reach people all over the world, and it would be against the project’s values to only make its products available in wealthy countries.

Economic access is particularly important in developing nations, which are home to many of the more than 4.4 billion people worldwide who either don’t have a legal identity or have one that can’t be digitally verified. This is a major stumbling block when it comes to accessing financial services. But it isn’t only important there.

Take Portugal, a developed European nation where more than 1.1% of the population has already signed up to use the Worldcoin protocol. Portugal’s open-arms approach to tech and crypto has helped Worldcoin become not just a financial resource, but an educational one. For example, Tools for Humanity (TFH), a company working to support the Worldcoin protocol, has entered into a business incubation agreement with the Nova SBE Haddad Entrepreneurship Institute, part of Portugal’s renowned Nova School of Business & Economics.


Data Privacy & Compliance

Individuals who want to receive a World ID are not required to share their name, phone number, email address or home address. Face and iris images collected by the Orb are used to generate a unique iris code. This iris code is compared against priorly collected iris codes without decrypting them. The iris codes are stored in an encrypted manner. Subsequently, all images and image derivatives are packaged, encrypted, and “signed” by the Orb to ensure authenticity and security, then sent to the user’s phone through the Orb backend server (importantly the backend cannot decrypt your phone). All images are then deleted from the Orb.

Note: The process described above relates to Personal Custody, not the entire Worldcoin system. The iris code is not deleted from the Worldcoin backend upon sign up. This enables Worldcoin to continue to determine an individual's uniqueness. To enable this in a privacy-preserving way, the iris code is split into multiple different secret shares that are stored and encrypted across multiple secure databases (read more about SMPC in the blog post). This allows for unprecedented level of privacy protection. Upon request by the user, these iris code shares can be deleted from the Worldcoin backend.

The Orb-verification process is only intended to verify an individual’s uniqueness—i.e., that they have not previously verified their unique humanness at an Orb for their World ID.

Worldcoin users may choose to share additional data, but this is never required. As an example, a user may provide their email address to sign up for the Worldcoin newsletter. 

Importantly, the Worldcoin Foundation and its contributor Tools for Humanity do not, and never will, sell anyone’s personal data, including biometric data. 

To learn more about the Worldcoin approach to data collection, handling and privacy, visit the protocol’s privacy page here or the Worldcoin blog.


The Worldcoin Foundation and the contributor company Tools for Humanity have not and never will share any personal data (including biometric data) with anyone who is not working on or assisting with the Worldcoin project, unless required to do so by law. Read more about Worldcoin’s commitments to privacy in the Privacy Notice and the Worldcoin blog.


No. The Worldcoin Foundation and its contributor Tools for Humanity never have and never will sell any personal data. Read more about the Worldcoin approach to data collection, handling and privacy in the Privacy Notice and the Worldcoin blog.


You can delete your profile data, including optional biometric images, at any time. To do so, navigate to Security & Privacy within Settings on your World App, and select Request Data Deletion under the Data Requests section. Keep in mind that clearing your profile is a permanent action and you will not be able to recover the deleted information. For a step-by-step guide, click here.

You can also request deletion of your World ID and Iris Code. To do so on the World App, navigate to Security & Privacy within Settings on your World App, and select Delete World ID and Iris Code under the Data Requests section. To do so on desktop, click here. Keep in mind that this is a permanent action and you will not be able to recover the deleted information. For a step-by-step guide, click here.


Yes, any personal data shared with Worldcoin is encrypted in transit and at rest. Read more about the Worldcoin approach to data collection, handling and privacy in the Worldcoin Privacy Notice.


Before Orb verifications are conducted in any country, local legal counsel is engaged to review Worldcoin and provide advice. The review is comprehensive, covering data protection and cryptocurrency regulations, among other topics like labor, hardware certifications, marketing and consumer protection. This information is used to tailor verification operations to local laws.

The Worldcoin Foundation and the contributor team at Tools for Humanity (TFH) are deeply committed to working with regulatory bodies globally to ensure that Worldcoin continues to meet regulatory requirements and that the public is provided a safe, secure and transparent service.

As part of this commitment, TFH engages deeply with local laws well before the first Orb arrives in a country, working closely with elected officials, third parties, and relevant associations to ensure full visibility into the Worldcoin project. The Worldcoin Foundation and TFH also partner with organizations to support the homegrown blockchain ecosystem.


Worldcoin is fully compliant with Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and designed for compliance with all laws and regulations governing biometric data collection and data transfer in the countries where it is available. Biometric data is never collected from any user without that user’s explicit consent. Worldcoin’s Biometric Data Consent Form clearly describes its purposes in this area. Further, minors are not allowed to participate in the project. More details can be found in the Worldcoin Terms of Use.

In the European Union, Tools for Humanity is under the supervision of the Bavarian State Office for Data Protection Supervision (Bayerisches Landesamt für Datenschutz). Read more about the Worldcoin approach to data collection, handling and privacy in the Privacy Notice and the Worldcoin blog.


Worldcoin is not a Virtual Asset Service Provider (“VASP”) or another similar classification. When a user downloads World App and creates an account, they are provided with a self-custodial cryptocurrency wallet. As a self-custodial wallet provider, Worldcoin does not hold custody of any crypto assets or funds, and does not provide exchange services.



Other

Yes, World ID and the related verification process are available in the United States. The WLD token is not available in the United States or to US persons.

World App, developed and designed by Tools for Humanity, is also available in the United States.


Worldcoin is a decentralized open source protocol supported by a global community of developers, economists and technologists committed to expanding participation in, and access to, the global digital economy. It is intended to become a public network, with ownership by everyone.

The Worldcoin Foundation (Foundation), for its part, is the initial steward of the protocol. Its mandate is to support and grow the Worldcoin community until it becomes self-sufficient. It will do this by facilitating decentralization over time, consistent with Worldcoin’s mission and commitments. In practical terms, the Foundation defines protocol governance, token mechanisms, grant programs, community affairs, and more. The Foundation provides direction and oversight for the services TFH is performing in relation to the protocol.


Tools for Humanity (TFH) is a global technology company established to accelerate the transition towards a more just economic system, with its headquarters in San Francisco and a wholly-owned subsidiary in Bavaria, Germany. TFH took the initial steps toward developing the Worldcoin protocol and supported its multi-year beta testing phase. It then transitioned the protocol to the independent Worldcoin Foundation prior to the protocol’s launch in late July 2023. Over time, TFH will continue to develop important tools supporting Worldcoin and beyond.

Today TFH provides services to the Worldcoin Foundation. Those services include, for example, software development, hardware manufacturing, and market operations logistical support. TFH has no other affiliation with and is governed entirely separately from the Worldcoin Foundation. In addition, TFH owns and operates World App, the first World ID-compatible client application.


Worldcoin is built on the Ethereum blockchain utilizing both layer 1 and layer 2 technologies for efficiency. On September 15, 2022 the Ethereum blockchain underwent “the merge,” a transition that reduced the energy used in operating the Ethereum blockchain by more than 99.95% overnight. For more information on the merge, please see Ethereum’s blog.


The best ways to receive the latest information about Worldcoin are to sign up for a World ID, to download the World App or to subscribe to the Worldcoin email updates. Alternatively, follow Worldcoin on Twitter or Discord. Updates will also be available via the Worldcoin blog.


Because Worldcoin is an open-source protocol, it is supported by a global community of developers, individuals, economists and technologists. Anyone can use their skills to contribute to Worldcoin, by engaging on the Worldcoin GitHub, becoming a Worldcoin Operator, or later pursuing a grant from the Worldcoin Foundation. Individuals interested in specifically working at the Worldcoin Foundation or joining contributor Tools for Humanity should visit the Worldcoin careers page for information regarding open positions.