Worldcoin Launches World ID in the Philippines, Raising Privacy Concerns

In the Philippines, a nation renowned for its rapid adoption of AI and strong levels of social media participation, World Network has made its formal debut. Worldcoin declared on February 17 that World ID, a digital identity verification system already utilized by more than 23 million people globally, will soon be available to Filipinos.

World ID provides a safe and private way to confirm identities online. The service will soon be available across the country after first being introduced in a few locations in Bulacan. World ID’s biometric verification attempts to assist Filipinos in differentiating themselves from artificial intelligence-generated content in light of the increase in fraud and disinformation associated with deepfakes.

Addressing Digital Identity Challenges

The Philippines ranks first globally in social media usage, making it a prime market for World Network. Nearly all internet users in the country use Facebook, and AI adoption is growing across various industries. However, this digital boom has also fueled a surge in online fraud. Between 2022 and 2023, deepfake-related fraud cases in the Philippines skyrocketed by 4,500%. World ID aims to combat these threats by offering a reliable verification system.

Despite its potential benefits, World Network’s expansion has raised privacy concerns. The collection of biometric data has been a contentious issue, with critics questioning how the company handles user information. Kenya was the first country to suspend World Network’s operations in 2023, citing violations of its Data Protection Act. Authorities in France, Portugal, Spain, Hong Kong, Brazil, and South Korea have also scrutinized the company’s practices.

According to an MIT Technology Review investigation, there are problems with Worldcoin’s sign-up procedures in nations like Indonesia and Kenya. It issued a warning that gathering iris scans and other biometric information can result in abuse, monitoring, or security lapses.

World Network has justified its strategy by claiming that it ensures biometric data stays on customers’ devices by utilizing privacy-preserving technology like zero-knowledge proofs. The business emphasized adherence to data privacy regulations when it rebranded and unveiled a new layer 2 network in October 2024. But worries still exist, especially in areas with lax data privacy laws.