Reddit is exploring a partnership with iris-scanning technology developed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's company as the social media platform seeks new ways to verify users are human while preserving their anonymity, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
The talks between Reddit and Tools for Humanity center on integrating World ID, a verification system that uses metallic orb-shaped devices to scan users' irises and create encrypted digital identities. The discussions come as Reddit grapples with an influx of AI-generated content and faces mounting regulatory pressure to verify user ages and identities.
World ID's orb devices capture iris patterns and immediately convert them into encrypted codes, fragmenting the data across multiple secure servers worldwide12. Users receive a unique digital identity stored locally on their smartphones, allowing platforms to confirm they are dealing with real humans rather than bots or AI systems34.
The system includes built-in age detection that refuses to scan users suspected of being under 1815. Reddit could potentially accept both fully verified World IDs and those with limited verification through the World app, treating the accounts differently based on their verification status1.
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman announced in May that the platform would introduce new verification systems after researchers deployed dozens of unauthorized AI bots that generated over 1,800 comments1. "Reddit works because it's human," Huffman wrote, acknowledging that "unwelcome AI in communities is a serious concern."
The move reflects broader industry challenges as governments worldwide implement age verification laws for social media platforms23. Reddit projects its user base will exceed 200 million monthly active users in 2025, making effective verification both more complex and more critical3.
The potential partnership carries personal significance given Altman's deep ties to Reddit. He briefly served as the platform's CEO for eight days in 2014, sat on its board until 2022, and controls more than 9% of voting rights through various investment vehicles1. His involvement helped broker current CEO Huffman's return to lead the company in 20151.
World has faced regulatory scrutiny in Europe, with Spain's data protection agency ordering the deletion of iris scan data collected during operations1. The UK's Information Commissioner's Office has also examined the company's practices, though it has made changes to address compliance concerns2.
Tools for Humanity and Reddit declined to comment on the discussions34. If implemented, World ID would join other third-party verification options as Reddit seeks to balance user privacy with authenticity requirements in an increasingly AI-saturated digital landscape.
