Investing.com -- Reddit Inc (NYSE:RDDT) is in talks to integrate World ID, an iris-scanning identity verification system developed by Tools for Humanity, according to a report by Semafor. The tool would allow Reddit users to prove they are real individuals while preserving their anonymity on the platform.
The discussions come as social media companies face mounting pressure to combat AI-generated content and comply with emerging global regulations on age and identity verification. Governments are increasingly urging platforms to distinguish between authentic users and automated accounts.
World ID’s parent company, Tools for Humanity, was co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The group’s broader mission is to provide universal basic income globally through the Worldcoin cryptocurrency, distributed to individuals who verify their identity via iris scans using the company’s Orb device.
Adopting World ID would mark a major milestone for Tools for Humanity and represent a shift for Reddit, which has traditionally prioritized anonymity but is now preparing to face heightened scrutiny over platform integrity. The addition of biometric verification could help Reddit build greater trust with users and investors alike.
Privacy advocates have raised questions about the ethics of biometric data collection, though proponents argue such systems offer a robust way to counter bots without requiring real names. The move could help Reddit strike a balance between user privacy and content authenticity.
If the agreement proceeds, Reddit would become one of the highest-profile adopters of decentralized identity verification. The outcome may set a precedent for how social platforms adapt to the dual pressures of AI threats and regulatory demands.