CITIZENS NEWS

ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman launches dystopian eyeball-scanning "orbs" across six major cities in the U.S.

By lauraharris // 2025-05-07

• Sam Altman's Worldcoin has deployed chrome-plated orbs in six major U.S. cities (Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, San Francisco) to scan users' irises, generating a unique "IrisCode" for identity verification.
• Verified users receive a World ID (a "global digital passport") and WLD tokens, usable on platforms like Minecraft, Reddit and Shopify. The goal is anonymous, AI-proof online verification.
• Worldcoin aims to install 7,500 orbs across the U.S. by 2025, partnering with Razer stores, cafes and campuses. Over 12 million users have already been scanned globally.
• Critics warn of mass surveillance risks, given Altman's OpenAI ties. Countries like Spain, India and France have temporarily banned or restricted the orbs over data privacy violations.
• Worldcoin claims scans are deleted after processing and data is secure, but skeptics (like privacy advocate Glen Goodman) question potential misuse, hacking risks and the company's Cayman Islands registration.

Sam Altman, the CEO behind the wildly popular AI tool ChatGPT, has officially launched his controversial eyeball-scanning "orbs" in six major cities of the United States in partnership with Visa and Match Group (parent company of Tinder). The chrome-plated orbs, which resemble something out of a sci-fi dystopia, scan the face and iris of a person for about 30 seconds to generate a unique "IrisCode." This code verifies that they are a real person who has not signed up before. The biometric data is then linked to a World ID, a digital passport that Altman claims will allow for secure, anonymous verification online, potentially for everything from logging into websites to accessing government services or even voting. In return, they receive free cryptocurrency (WLD) tokens and a World ID, which can be used to log into platforms like Minecraft, Reddit, Telegram, Shopify and Discord. (Related: New crypto linked to digital ID forces all users to scan their EYEBALLS using iris-scanning technology.) As part of the program, Altman launched the iris-scanning verification technology in six major cities across the U.S., including Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville and San Francisco on Thursday, May 1. Worldcoin plans to install 7,500 orbs across the U.S. by the end of 2025, with scanning hubs set up in Razer gaming stores, cafes and college campuses. "We wanted a way to make sure that humans stayed special and central, in a world where the internet was going to have lots of AI-driven content," Altman said during the keynote on Wednesday, the day before its launch.

Worldcoin insists user data is stored securely

The move follows the company's global rollout, which has already placed orbs in over 35 cities across 20 countries, verifying more than 12 million users since its launch on July 24. Worldcoin insists its World ID system is a step toward a "global digital passport," enabling secure, instant verification online. The company also claims that user data is stored securely and that scans are deleted after processing. However, skeptics fear it could become a tool for mass surveillance, especially given Altman's ties to AI development through OpenAI. In fact, Worldcoin has already faced significant resistance from regulators worldwide. For instance, in March 2024, Spain imposed a three-month ban on the Orb, citing concerns over personal data handling. Similarly, India, Brazil and France forced the company to pause operations in late 2023 due to privacy and consent violations. Privacy advocates like Glen Goodman, the author of "The Crypto Trader," warned the public that the system could be exploited for tracking, profiling or social control. Read more stories like this at Globalism.news. Watch this video about how Worldcoin pushes new digital IDs that will probably be adopted worldwide.

More related stories:

"Worldcoin" is here: Just get your eyes scanned by "The Orb" and your new "World ID" will be issued to you.

OF COURSE! Worldcoin will permit governments and private firms across the globe to use its World ID system – that was the plan all along.

Kenyan government SUSPENDS rollout of Worldcoin over potential risks to public safety.

Worldcoin accused of unethical practices shortly after its official launch.

Worldcoin CEO: Global digital currency tied to global digital ID will soon be required 'whether you like it or not.'

Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk CNBC.com Brighteon.com

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