OpenAI’s Social Network Plans Include Biometric Verification
OpenAI is reportedly working on a new social network that would use biometric verification tools to ensure users are real people. According to a Forbes report, the company is considering systems like Apple’s Face ID or World’s iris-scanning Orb technology. The idea is to create what sources describe as a “real humans only” network.
This would position OpenAI against the bot-driven engagement that has become common on platforms like X. I think it’s an interesting approach, though perhaps a bit ambitious. The project is still in early development, built by a small internal team of fewer than ten people.
World’s Orb Technology and WLD Token Surge
The proposed identity checks would rely on proof-of-personhood systems including World’s Orb. This device creates a unique identifier from a user’s iris pattern. What’s notable here is that World is operated by Tools for Humanity, a company founded by OpenAI’s chief executive Sam Altman.
The report sparked immediate interest in World’s ecosystem. The native WLD token surged more than 25% on the day, reaching around $0.55. That’s a significant move, though it’s worth remembering that cryptocurrency markets can be volatile.
Privacy Concerns and Development Timeline
Privacy advocates have already raised concerns about the biometric verification approach. Iris scans are permanent biological markers, and there are legitimate worries about what happens if this data gets compromised. Once your iris pattern is out there, you can’t change it like a password.
Sources familiar with the project caution that OpenAI’s plans could still change significantly. There’s no set timeline for a public launch, and the company might pivot in different directions as development continues. Early-stage projects often evolve quite a bit before reaching users.
Broader Implications for Social Media
What OpenAI seems to be exploring is a fundamental shift in how social platforms verify identity. Current systems rely on email addresses, phone numbers, or social media accounts – all things that can be faked or purchased. Biometric verification would be much harder to game.
But there’s a trade-off here. The more secure the verification, the more personal data gets collected. And people might not be comfortable with that exchange, especially given the track record of tech companies with user data.
It’s also worth considering whether this approach would actually solve the bot problem or just create new challenges. Sophisticated actors might find ways around even biometric systems, or the verification process itself might exclude certain groups of people.
For now, it’s an idea in development. The team is small, the plans are fluid, and the public reaction remains to be seen. But the market reaction to the news suggests there’s genuine interest in this direction, at least from investors.
