Key Notes

Key Notes:

World Network targets the Philippines’ digitally savvy population for secure identity verification and online protection.Over 23 million people globally are active on the World Network, combating AI misuse and fraud.Privacy concerns have led to regulatory challenges, but World ensures user data is stored securely on personal devices.

World has launched its global network in the Philippines, focusing on financial and identity verification services. The company says it chose the Philippines due to its young, digitally skilled population. It aims to provide Filipinos with a secure and anonymous method for digital participation while protecting them from growing online threats.

World ID is the network’s primary offering, enabling users to verify their identity online without compromising anonymity. This verification helps Filipinos prove they are real people, distinguishing them from AI bots or fake accounts that proliferate in online spaces.

In areas like Bulacan, residents can access Orb verifications, currently in pilot phases, with plans for broader access soon. Upon completing verification, Filipinos will join over 23 million users in the World Network, including around 11 million verified individuals.

The Philippines is known for its strong social media presence, boasting the highest number of social media users worldwide. However, this prominence also comes with challenges. Cases of identity fraud involving deepfakes saw a 4,500% increase between 2022 and 2023.

Misinformation presents another growing concern, especially as elections approach. World ID helps address these issues by allowing users to identify genuine accounts, significantly reducing the risk of falling victim to scams or misinformation campaigns. The team stated:

“World ID offers Filipinos a way to anonymously prove their humanness online. This helps protect against fraud and misinformation by enabling people to know what accounts and information online have been created by real humans and not AI-powered bots. Additionally, World ID will also be able to help protect Filipinos from deep fakes thanks to World’s recently announced Deep Face technology powered by Face Auth.”

World Network has faced challenges regarding privacy concerns and its collection of biometric data. Its operations were halted by the Kenyan government in 2023 after authorities accused it of violating the Data Protection Act, particularly in how it obtains user consent and manages data transparency. It has also encountered legal issues in multiple countries, including France, Portugal, Spain, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Brazil.

Regarding its operations in the Philippines, the team stated that verification information is securely stored on the user’s device rather than on World’s servers. The system employs advanced technologies to ensure user data remains private and their actions are anonymous. They said:

“Filipinos retain full control of the information used to verify their World ID. It is securely stored only on their device, never with World or with any third party. World also uses advanced technologies like Anonymized Multi-Party Computation and zero knowledge proofs to keep participants’ data private and actions anonymous.”

In October 2024, the platform underwent a rebrand and launched a new Layer 2 network, committing to better compliance with data protection laws. However, concerns persist about potential risks, particularly in regions with weak safeguards for user data.

Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.

Temitope is a writer with more than four years of experience writing across various niches. He has a special interest in the fintech and blockchain spaces and enjoy writing articles in those areas. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in linguistics. When not writing, he trades forex and plays video games.

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