The iris-scanning project, Worldcoin, has achieved a significant milestone with its mobile World App surpassing 4 million downloads, as stated in a blog post by the project’s team on November 1. If officially confirmed by Coingecko, this number would position World App as the sixth most downloaded software wallet on their list. The team, known as “Tools for Humanity,” also declared that they now boast over 1 million monthly users, double the count from just six months ago.
Proving Humanity Through Iris Scans
Worldcoin offers a unique approach to verifying human users by utilizing iris scanning technology. Upon scanning their iris, users are granted a “World ID,” which serves as proof of their non-bot identity to various applications. As an incentive, each verified user receives 25 Worldcoin (WLD) tokens, currently valued at approximately $46.50.
The project has gained popularity, particularly in developing markets like Argentina, where some participants have discovered an opportunity to quickly earn extra income by registering and selling the coins. However, Worldcoin has faced criticism for its alleged threat to privacy. Critics argue that the platform is excessively centralized, potentially leading to the public exposure of users’ data.
To withdraw their WLD, Worldcoin users must download the World App to create an account. The team’s recent blog post revealed that the app has been downloaded over 4 million times. This would position it above the Solana Phantom wallet but below Bitcoin.com’s Bitcoin wallet on Coingecko’s most popular wallets list. Notably, many users who initially register continue to engage with the app beyond the download stage. The app now sustains 1 million monthly active users, with 500,000 weekly active users and 100,000 daily active users, indicating a doubling of engagement within the last six months.
Controversy in Kenya
Despite the project’s numerous achievements, it continues to face criticism from privacy advocates. On October 2, a parliamentary committee in Kenya issued a directive for Worldcoin to cease operations within the country due to privacy concerns. While the project complied with this order, they released a statement asserting their adherence to all privacy laws in Kenya.
Worldcoin’s World App has reached a significant milestone with over 4 million downloads and a growing user base of 1 million monthly active users. Although the project has faced scrutiny regarding privacy concerns, it remains a popular choice, particularly in developing markets. As Worldcoin strives to address criticism and maintain compliance with privacy regulations, its trajectory in the realm of iris-scanning technology and digital wallets will continue to be closely monitored.