Cybersecurity agency Path of Bits has concluded the audit of Worldcoin’s ORB know-how and located that it adheres to stringent privateness protocols, notably in the way it processes and shops personally identifiable data (PII).
The full report was launched on March 13 and revealed that there are not any vulnerabilities within the ORB software program and validated most of the claims made by Worldcoin.
The audit was initiated on Aug. 14, 2023, after a number of regulators throughout the globe raised considerations about Worldcoin’s biometric information assortment, with some outright banning its operations.
The audit
Path of Bits’ audit aimed to meticulously look at the orb’s software program, notably specializing in its dealing with of personally identifiable data (PII) and the administration of customers’ iris codes.
Through the default opt-out signup circulate, the orb collects no PII aside from the iris code, which is neither written to persistent storage nor leaves the orb. In situations the place customers opt-in, their PII is encrypted on the orb’s SSD in a way that even the orb itself can not decrypt — showcasing a sturdy strategy to information privateness.
Furthermore, the audit verified that the orb doesn’t extract further delicate information from a person’s machine, with the one data collected being from a QR code. This ensures a minimal information assortment strategy, aligning with privateness finest practices.
Importantly, the iris code, a vital piece of biometric information, is dealt with securely all through its assortment and transmission course of, successfully mitigating the danger of unauthorized entry or interception.
Suggestions
The audit additionally highlighted areas for enchancment, recommending further hardening of the orb’s software program and {hardware} configurations to bolster safety additional.
In response, Worldcoin has carried out modifications, together with changing a susceptible library used for QR code scanning with a safer different.
The Path of Bits audit represents only one a part of Worldcoin’s ongoing efforts to make sure the safety and privateness of its know-how. With the ORB know-how being central to the Worldcoin mission’s mission to supply a common primary earnings, these rigorous safety assessments are essential for sustaining person belief and mission integrity.
Recognizing the significance of transparency and group engagement, Worldcoin has invited public participation in its bug bounty program and plans to share future audit reviews as they turn into out there.