World is building the real human network responsibly. The following is a look at the multi-layered approach World Network takes to exclusively provide access to individuals who are at least 18 years old.
1. App-based, private age gating
When you first download World App and create an account, you're required to enter your date of birth into an input field within the app (see below). Importantly, your date of birth is processed locally on your mobile phone and is never shared with or stored by anyone but you. Neither Tools for Humanity nor World Foundation have access to this information. We only know that you've confirmed you meet the age requirements for creating an account.
This is more than just a simple checkbox. The system is designed to prevent circumvention:
- You cannot complete the account creation and your app will be blocked if you enter a date of birth indicating you're underage
- If you force-quit the app and try again, you'll remain blocked—far exceeding industry standards
- In the event you improperly input your date of birth, you can regain access through age verification using eligible government ID credentials. This can be done either by:
- Using your NFC-enabled government ID (like a passport) to create a World ID Credential, or;
- Using our third-party age verification service
Your date of birth or personal information used for this verification process is never shared with or stored by World.
2. Human operator oversight
Our network of Orb Operators around the world are trained to decline service if they have a good faith belief that someone does not meet the minimum age requirements. They won't ask for ID documents, but will instead direct individuals to the third-party verification team for assistance with alternative age verification methods.
3. Advanced Orb-based age detection
The commitment to preventing underage usage does not stop there. The Orb—a specialized proof of human device—employs cutting-edge machine learning technology to assess whether an individual appears to meet World Network’s age requirements during the proof of human verification process. This is done using a high-performance age assurance model developed for real-world deployment.
If the model estimates that someone appears to be underage, the proof of human process is immediately halted and the individual is directed to contact support or use alternative verification methods if available.
Privacy-first age gating
World's age gating approach balances robust prevention strategies that preserve privacy. The privacy preservation aspects include:
No central storage: Unlike many platforms that store date of birth in user profiles, World doesn't store age information. Your date of birth remains only on your device.
Automated and tamper-resistant: The multi-layered system is designed to be automated and resistant to manipulation, reducing the need for manual handling of personal information.
Anonymous by design: We only need to know that you meet the Network participation age requirements, not your specific age, date of birth, or any other personal details.
Building trust through transparency
Private, comprehensive age gating is just one part of a broader commitment to building a trustworthy, fraud resistant, real human network. We continue to:
- Open source key components of technology that underlies World Network
- Undergo regular third-party security audits
- Work closely with privacy experts and regulators
- Provide network participants with unprecedented control over their data
In an age where AI is rapidly advancing and the line between human and artificial content is blurring, having a verified network of real, age appropriate humans becomes increasingly valuable. The comprehensive age gating measures World deploys help ensure the real human network remains a trusted space for individuals to prove their humanity while maintaining their privacy.
By combining advanced technology with privacy-first design principles, we're building the foundation for a more human internet, one where individuals can confidently engage, knowing they're interacting with other verified humans in a safe, compliant environment.
Learn more
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You can also join the daily conversation on all World social media channels, or get additional important information concerning the project by reading the World protocol whitepaper.