World Launches Eye-Scanning Orb Store in San Francisco Amid Privacy Concerns

World, the startup formerly known as Worldcoin, has opened a new storefront in San Francisco featuring its eye-scanning orbs, part of a broader U.S. expansion. Located near Union Square, the store showcases eight orbs used to scan eyeballs and verify a user’s identity, with the biometric data stored on the blockchain. While the orbs cannot be purchased, the store aims to promote the technology and offers previews of future products like the Orb Mini. On opening day, the store saw more PR staff than customers, with orb scanning available only by appointment. Some early users reported technical glitches, and reactions ranged from curiosity to skepticism about the privacy and security of biometric data. The event coincided with a launch party featuring Anderson .Paak and was attended primarily by tech professionals. World has faced international scrutiny and regulatory issues, with bans or restrictions in countries such as Kenya, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, and South Korea due to concerns over data privacy. Company executives, including Trevor Traina, emphasized the technology’s potential to verify human identity in an age of AI-driven deception. Despite the fanfare, the project continues to raise questions about data usage, surveillance, and ethical implications.