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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Human verification tech eyes nationwide rollout this year

Human verification tech eyes nationwide rollout this year

Published Apr 6, 2025 09:34 pm

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A glimpse at the Orb (World photo)

World, a financial and identity network that aims to limit artificial intelligence (AI) to only serve humans, is set to launch its Orb verification device in the Philippines within the year.

Founded by OpenAI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sam Altman, World offers a “digital passport” to prove that a user is a real human, instead of an AI that has swamped social media.

This passport, known as World ID, is accessible through the Orb, an in-person scanning device that captures the human user’s iris.

The device, a silver ball approximately the size of a bowling ball, was unveiled before the public in San Francisco, California, last year.

San Francisco and Berlin-based Tools for Humanity (TFH) led the initial development and now operate the World Network.

THF Chief Legal and Privacy Officer Damien Kieran assured Filipinos that the Orb is a secure and anonymous device.

He said the device already had pilot testing in select cities in Bulacan, with plans to expand locations to Metro Manila, including Gateway Mall in Quezon City and Greenhills Mall in San Juan City.

“The target market for World ID and the World Network is, honestly, every human. Our goal is for every person to be able to use it and to benefit from it,” Kieran told reporters last week.

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(Left) Tools for Humanity (THF) Chief Legal and Privacy Officer Damien Kieran (Dexter Barro II/MANILA BULLETIN)

With a verified World ID, Filipinos can join a user base of over 23 million users across more than 100 countries.

According to World, the combination of strong social media presence and rapid AI adoption underscores the need for new tools to help protect Filipinos online.

It reported that deepfake-related identity fraud cases are steadily surging in the Philippines, with a 4,500-percent hike between 2022 and 2023.

“Reports of spikes in bot-driven misinformation and high-profile fraud and cyber cases continue as the country approaches a crucial midterm election in May,” it added.

As part of World and TFH’s cybersecurity efforts, the two recently partnered with the National Association of Data Protection Officers of the Philippines (NADPOP), Philippine Computer Emergency Response Team (PH-CERT), and Secure Digital Life Center (SDLC).

This partnership is meant to protect the digital lives of Filipinos and strengthen the country’s cyber ecosystem.

“Through this collaboration, we are committed to bringing cutting-edge digital security solutions that will not only protect Filipinos but also enhance trust in online transactions and services,” said Kieran.

NADPOP and SLDC founding president Sam Jacoba, for his part, pointed out that every Filipino deserves to be protected online amid a barrage of cyber threats.

“This initiative is a major step toward building a cyber-resilient nation and society. By working together, we can empower individuals, businesses, and government agencies to stay ahead of cyber threats,” he said.

Related Tags

verification Artificial Intelligence (AI)
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