The move comes as the platform faces rising scrutiny over anonymous users, regulatory pressure, and the growing threat of AI-generated accounts.<\/p>\n
Instead of collecting sensitive personal details, World ID offers a novel approach: proving someone is human without revealing who they are. The system uses a device called the Orb, which scans a person\u2019s iris and generates a unique cryptographic code. This \u201cproof of personhood\u201d is stored locally on a user\u2019s device and can be used across platforms without exposing private data. The Orb also detects minors and rejects scans if the user appears underage, while other methods like passport verification remain device-side and private.<\/p>\n
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman has publicly stated that user verification is becoming inevitable due to global regulations. However, he emphasized Reddit\u2019s desire to outsource this function to trusted partners rather than handling personal data internally. World ID, with its privacy-first design, aligns well with that goal.<\/p>\n