Reddit considers using the iris scan technology developed by World (formerly Worldcoin) to authenticate its users without compromising their anonymity.
This biometric verification would create a unique identifier via the iris, without storing any image, with a reward in $WLD upon registration.
Facing the rise of AI and fake accounts, Reddit could become the testing ground for a new internet: pseudonymous yet verified.
Reddit wants to use World’s orb technology
It’s news that would have raised eyebrows five years ago. In 2025, it seems almost logical. According to Semafor, Reddit is considering integrating the biometric authentication technology developed by Worldcoin, now known as World, the crypto project backed by Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI.
Objective: verify that you are indeed human… without revealing your identity.
World ID could soon become a way for Reddit users to verify that they are unique individuals while remaining anonymous on the platform.
An iris scan to prove your humanity
World offers a radical concept: a small electronic globe scans your iris to generate a unique identifier, called World ID. This scan does not store your image but creates a digital fingerprint that confirms you are a real individual, without a direct link to your name or face.
For those who accept, a cryptocurrency reward ($WLD) is offered upon registration. This “proof of personality” could soon become a standard of the web 3.0, especially in the face of the increasing power of AI autonomous agents.
Reddit following in the footsteps of Tinder and Hinge
Already adopted in testing phase by Tinder in Japan (through a partnership with Match Group), World’s technology could land on Reddit. This would be a major turning point for the platform, historically linked to the anonymity of its users. Unlike Instagram or TikTok, Reddit does not prioritize self-image, but content and ideas.
Integrating World ID would allow Reddit to preserve this anonymity while combating bots and other fake profiles, an increasingly critical issue in the era of generative AI.
Between verification and pitfalls
According to Semafor, Reddit even considered legal action against the University of Zurich after a group of researchers used AI to simulate users in an experiment on persuasion. This kind of initiative highlights how online authenticity has become a burning topic.
Meanwhile, several U.S. states are working on laws to mandate age and identity verification on platforms. The regulatory climate is pushing web giants to anticipate or react.
A new norm in the making
World is betting on an inevitable evolution: in a world populated by AI, being able to prove one’s humanity will become essential. And Reddit could become the ideal laboratory to test this future.
What is at stake here goes beyond simple moderation: it is the redefinition of digital identity in a decentralized, anonymous internet, but increasingly vulnerable to algorithmic manipulations.
The coming years could witness the emergence of a new standard: pseudonymous, yes, but verified.
