Worldcoin Pauses Orb Verification in India

Worldcoin, the crypto startup recognized for its distinctive Orb-verification service, has announced the temporary suspension of operations in India.

The foundation overseeing Worldcoin's development, Tools for Humanity, clarified that expanding the Orb into these markets was intended as a "limited-time access" initiative. 

Despite the cessation of services in these specific countries, the foundation affirms its ongoing commitment to collaborating with global partners to meet regulatory requirements. They aim to provide a secure, safe, and transparent service for verifying humans.

“World App continues to experience broad adoption in India where thousands download the app each week,” A spokesperson for Tools for Humanity told BSC News. “Orb-verified proof of personhood services have been temporarily scaled back as the protocol works to develop and roll out a bespoke, safe and orderly process that sufficiently meets the demand for World ID in India.”

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The Orb's Global Tour and Identity Verification

The Orb, a five-pound chromatic sphere, stands out for its eyeball-scanning capabilities, serving as a means to verify an individual's identity. According to the spokeperson, the Orb embarked on a multi-city tour starting in Tokyo in April 2023.

"The multi-city tour kicked off in Tokyo in April 2023 and marked the first time people in many locations across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia were able to experience the Orb,” said the spokeperson. “The tour concluded late summer and was also complemented by previews of the Orb in a number of cities globally alongside the launch of the protocol."

The project hopes to offer proof of personhood services in these cities once again as the need and demand for these services increase, according to Tools for Humanity. As per reports, it is possible that proof of personhood services are not currently available in all the cities included in the preview program. However, those who verified their humanness during that period still have access to their unique, privacy-preserving World ID.

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Worldcoin's Mission and Global Rollout

Worldcoin, founded by Sam Altman, launched its eyeball-scanning cryptocurrency startup in July 2023 with a mission to develop a reliable solution for distinguishing humans from AI online. The startup aimed to facilitate global democratic processes and enhance economic opportunities. 

Sam Altman's vision for Worldcoin centers on building a robust solution that effectively differentiates humans from artificial intelligence in online interactions. 

Worldcoin launched its global services rollout with approximately $250 million in funding from notable investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Khosla Ventures, and Reid Hoffman.