Reddit is reportedly in talks to adopt biometric verification technology developed by Worldcoin, the crypto identity project co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, as a way to confirm whether its users are actual humans while keeping their identities anonymous.
The report, first published by Semafor, cites two unnamed sources familiar with the matter. If finalized, Reddit would join Tinder in exploring the use of Worldcoin’s “World ID” system, a digital identity that’s created by scanning a user’s iris using a metallic device known as the “orb.”
Once scanned, users receive a unique digital ID that proves their humanness without revealing their real name or personal data. As a bonus, they also get free WLD tokens, the native cryptocurrency of the Worldcoin project.
Worldcoin has faced its share of criticism since its launch, especially around privacy and ethical concerns related to biometric data. Still, it’s pushing ahead with expansion. Just a few weeks ago, the company announced its U.S. launch and a partnership with Match Group, the parent company of Tinder, Hinge, and OkCupid.
In Japan, Tinder is already planning to test Worldcoin’s tech to help confirm if users are real and whether they’re the age they claim to be.
Reddit’s possible move stands out because the platform isn’t built on personal identity. Unlike Instagram or TikTok, where users often post selfies and showcase their real lives, Reddit thrives on anonymity. Most users go by pseudonyms, and the focus is more on conversations than appearances.
That’s what makes Reddit a unique testing ground for Worldcoin’s verification tool. It could offer a middle ground, proving that users are human without revealing who they are.
The timing of Reddit’s interest is notable. According to Semafor, the company recently considered legal action against researchers from the University of Zurich. The team reportedly used AI to impersonate real Reddit users in an experiment exploring how persuasive AI could be in online debates.
That incident likely heightened Reddit’s concerns about bot accounts and AI-generated content spreading across the site.
Some U.S. states are working on new laws that would make websites check how old their users are. The goal is to protect kids from harmful content online. At the same time, AI is getting better at pretending to be real people, which makes it harder for platforms that rely on user posts to know who’s actually behind the screen.
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