World Network, formerly known as Worldcoin, has officially landed in the Philippines, aiming to bring its approach to digital identity and financial inclusion to a nation grappling with the rise of bot-driven misinformation and deepfake-related fraud.
Can World Network tame the wild west of crime in the Philippines.
The Philippines, a country with the world’s highest social media penetration, has become a hotbed for both AI adoption and its darker side. Between 2022 and 2023, deepfake-related identity fraud cases surged by a staggering 4,500%.
World Network aims to address these challenges head-on with its World ID system.
Scams Abound
World ID, a key element of the World Network, is a privacy-focused, decentralized identity protocol that allows users to prove their identity online without revealing sensitive details. Users receive a World ID once they’re verified by the Orb.
With the new launch, World Network aims to tap into the Philippines’ young, digitally savvy population and its growing need for robust online security measures.
The service is launching first in certain cities in Bulacan, but the team will be setting up Orb verification spots across the Philippines. The ultimate goal is to make the technology available nationwide.
According to World Network, World ID provides Filipinos with a way to join World Network without any cost, while ensuring their data and identity remain protected and private.
By participating in World Network, Filipinos become part of a large network with over 23 million participants, including over 11 million verified humans.
World Network also notes its commitment to user privacy. Through its Personal Custody system, individuals retain control over their biometric data, which is stored securely on their devices and never shared with Worldcoin or any third party, the team states.
The network also employs advanced privacy-enhancing technologies like Anonymized Multi-Party Computation and zero-knowledge proofs in order to complement existing data privacy efforts in the Philippines.
The launch comes as the Philippines is poised for crucial midterm elections in May. This is an extremely critical time, as concerns about bot-driven misinformation and deepfakes are at an all-time high. Worldcoin believes its technology can play a vital role in ensuring a more transparent and secure online environment.
WLD, the project’s cryptocurrency, showed little reaction to the news. CoinGecko data shows that it is currently trading at around $1.225, down slightly in the last 24 hours.
Ongoing Regulatory Challenges
World Network’s growth has sparked controversies related to privacy concerns and the collection of biometric data.
The Kenyan government halted Worldcoin’s operations in 2023 for violating the Data Protection Act. Following an investigation, the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) issued a cessation notice to Worldcoin in May 2023 and formally canceled the certificate issued to the entity later that year.
The ODPC also issued an Enforcement Notice requiring Worldcoin to simplify consent procedures, ensure orb operators do not access users’ mobile phones, obtain informed consent before data custody, and obtain explicit consent for transferring sensitive personal data out of Kenya.
World Network has also faced legal challenges in various jurisdictions, including France, Portugal, Spain, Hong Kong, Brazil, South Korea, and Chile. The biggest concerns are the potential misuse, data breaches, and surveillance associated with biometric data collection.
Late last month, Brazil’s National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) instructed Tools for Humanity, the entity behind the World Network project previously known as Worldcoin, to cease offering crypto incentives in exchange for biometric data collection in Brazil.
The order came as the ANPD investigated the World ID project’s use of iris biometrics for facilitating a universal digital identity and financial network. The ANPD expressed concerns about the influence of financial incentives on consent validity and the irreversible nature of biometric data collection.
The Chilean Supreme Court ruled against Worldcoin earlier this month for collecting biometric information about a minor without consent.
Source: https://blockonomi.com/world-network-in-philippines-to-battle-scams-with-human-id/