World has launched Android support for World ID Credentials in Malaysia, enhancing global accessibility. This comes after previous iOS support and aims to include passport holders globally. Concerns have arisen regarding illegal biometric trading, particularly in Argentina, as users are warned to protect their personal data amid growing synthetic identity fraud risks.
World has announced the launch of Android support for its World ID Credentials in Malaysia, complementing previous iOS support. By January 31, 2025, the World ID Credential will be available on both iOS and Android in various countries, including Chile, Colombia, Malaysia, and South Korea. This initiative underscores World’s commitment to enhancing accessibility and user engagement through its credential system.
Ajay Patel, the Head of World ID at Tools for Humanity, noted that this expansion is pivotal for global accessibility on the World Network. With enhanced security and improved user experience, this development is expected to increase adoption and engagement from users and developers alike.
World ID allows individuals to integrate credentials without requiring verification through an Orb, the biometric device for iris scanning. The newly introduced World ID Passport Credential aims to include the 1.2 billion passport holders globally, allowing those without easy access to verification tools to benefit from the network’s offerings.
Verification on the World Network involves the distribution of WLD tokens, the platform’s native cryptocurrency. The amount of tokens received is contingent on the verification method; however, World asserts that there is no monetary exchange during this verification process, which appears contradictory to some available data.
Since its rebranding from Worldcoin in October, World claims to have verified over 11 million users through iris scans. The platform reports a daily engagement of 5.4 million interactions from over 1 million unique users, alongside the creation of more than 23 million World IDs to date.
World has also implemented its anonymized multi-party computation (AMPC) system, which offers robust privacy protections suitable for the AI era, enhancing user data security. Furthermore, developers can now utilize Chainlink CCIP for cross-chain interoperability, enabling communication and transactions across more than 20 blockchains.
As of early 2025, World Chain is claimed to maintain the highest Operations Per Second (UOPS) and Transactions Per Second (TPS) ratio among Ethereum blockchains, indicating its user base consists largely of genuine users engaging with applications rather than automated bots.
In unrelated news, authorities in Argentina have arrested individuals involved in illegal activities related to biometric data exchange. Reports indicate that these criminals were soliciting iris biometrics in return for cryptocurrencies, although World was not associated with this operation.
Concerns are rising around the increasing practice of trading biometric data without informed consent, particularly as synthetic identity fraud becomes more prevalent with AI advancements. Legal experts stress the importance of understanding the implications of sharing biometric data, especially in light of existing legal loopholes in Argentina. Judicial authorities recommend caution before exchanging biometric information to protect personal identity.
World’s expansion of Android support for its World ID credentials aims to enhance accessibility for users globally, particularly in regions with less access to biometric verification. Despite their push for wider adoption, concerns regarding the ethical exchange of biometric data, particularly in Argentina, highlight the complexities and risks associated with such technologies. Users are urged to ensure informed consent and understand the implications of sharing personal biometric information in this evolving landscape.
Original Source: www.biometricupdate.com
