Sam Altman's 'human verification' company thinks its eye-scanning orbs could solve ticket scalping

Source: Engadget

Concert Kit and World ID

Among the new tools announced is Concert Kit, designed to help bands and artists combat ticket‑scalping bots. The feature relies on the revamped World ID, an orb‑based verification system that scans users’ eyeballs and faces to create a “proof of human” signature stored on users’ mobile devices.

“It’s basically like a little human passport for the internet that lets you prove on apps and websites that you are a real and unique human without revealing anything about yourself,” says Tools for Humanity Chief Product Officer Tiago Sada to Engadget.

How It Works

When more apps and services support World ID, the “human passport” can unlock new capabilities. Coupled with Concert Kit, artists can designate a specific pool of tickets for verified humans only. The process works similarly to current pre‑sales:

1. Artists (or their teams) set aside a number of tickets for people who have set up a World ID.
2. Those fans use their World ID to obtain ticket codes for platforms such as Ticketmaster, Eventbrite, AXS, or other major ticketing services.

Because World ID is limited to actual, verified humans, the system is not susceptible to the same tactics that enable bots to dominate ticket buying. Artists can also choose the level of verification required from fans. (The new World ID app allows users to set up an account with a selfie check if they don’t have immediate access to an orb.)

Early Adoption

• Bruno Mars is slated to use Concert Kit on his upcoming world tour, though the exact number of tickets reserved for World ID‑verified fans has not been disclosed.
• Concert Kit is available to other artists starting today.

Other Integrations and Updates

Tinder

• Earlier this year, Tinder began testing World ID as an age‑verification solution in Japan.
• The integration will roll out worldwide, but in the U.S. it will serve as a verified‑human badge rather than an age check.

Enterprise Use Cases

• Zoom and DocuSign are adding World ID support to verify that a real person (not a deepfake or bot) is joining video calls or signing important documents.
• Tools for Humanity is also releasing a standalone World ID app that separates identity verification tools from its existing crypto‑wallet app.

Context and Reception

The updates represent Tools for Humanity’s latest effort to make its orb‑based verification system more mainstream and less dystopian, despite widespread mockery. Orbs have even begun appearing in public spaces such as a San Francisco Gap.

Sada acknowledges that many people are uncomfortable with scanning their faces at multiple orbs controlled by Altman’s company. When asked whether the solution addresses the wrong problem—relying on users to prove their humanness rather than improving platform security—he responded:

“It’s a completely understandable question,” Sada said, comparing the discomfort to early reactions to Apple’s Touch ID and Face ID. “Not everyone has to do it upfront, and that’s important. It’s optional. If you want to have a World ID, you get access to that enhanced experience.”

Source

This article originally appeared on Engadget: Sam Altman’s human verification company thinks its eye‑scanning orbs could solve ticket scalping