OpenAI Explores a “Humans‑Only” Social Network Leveraging Biometric Verification
Cointelegraph
January 28 2026
OpenAI is reportedly laying the groundwork for a new social media platform that would differentiate itself from existing services by allowing only verified human users. According to a Forbes report that cited insiders familiar with the project, the venture—still in its infancy—is being built by a small, ten‑person team and targets a market currently dominated by The platform is said to rely on “proof of personhood” mechanisms that could include Apple’s Face ID technology or the World Orb, the iris‑scanning device used by the Worldcoin ecosystem.
What’s being built?
The initiative, which sources claim has been in development since early 2025, aims to create a “bot‑free” environment where content is generated and curated by real individuals. While concrete details remain limited, it is expected that OpenAI’s generative AI models, such as ChatGPT, will be embedded to assist users in creating multimedia posts, ranging from text to video and graphics.
Biometrics as the gatekeeper
Proof of personhood would be verified through one of two main pathways:
- Apple Face ID – leveraging the smartphone’s built‑in facial recognition to confirm that an account holder is a single, living individual.
- World Orb scanner – part of the Worldcoin project co‑founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the Orb captures a high‑resolution image of a user’s face and iris to generate a unique World ID, ensuring that each person can claim only one identity on the platform.
The latter option has already sparked privacy debates, as the Orb collects biometric data and stores it on a blockchain‑based identity system.
Market reaction
The news coincided with a sharp rally in Worldcoin’s native token (WLD), which jumped roughly 40 % to $0.63 on Wednesday before retreating to about $0.54 later in the day, according to CoinGecko. The token’s price has been under pressure overall, sliding nearly 70 % over the past twelve months amid a broader crypto downturn that began in the second half of 2025.
Context and strategic fit
Sam Altman has been vocal about the prevalence of automated accounts on existing platforms. a September 2025 interview, he described the current social media experience as “fake” due to the volume of bot‑generated content. By insisting on biometric verification, OpenAI hopes to deliver a more authentic interaction space that could attract users disillusioned with the noise on traditional networks.
The move also aligns with a growing industry interest in decentralized and identity‑verified social media. Earlier this year, Ethereum co‑founder Vitalik Buterin highlighted decentralized platforms as a priority for 2026, underscoring a broader trend toward user‑controlled identity and data.
Potential challenges
- Privacy concerns – The use of facial and iris scans raises questions about data protection, especially given past criticisms of the World Orb’s handling of personal information.
- Regulatory scrutiny – Biometric data collection is subject to strict regulations in multiple jurisdictions (e.g., GDPR in Europe, CCPA in California). Compliance could add complexity to rollout.
- Adoption hurdles – Convincing a mass audience to undergo biometric enrollment may limit early user growth compared with barrier‑free competitors.
Key takeaways
- OpenAI is developing a new social platform that will require biometric “proof of personhood” to combat bots.
- Verification could be done via Apple Face ID or the World Orb, a device already used by the Worldcoin ecosystem.
- The announcement triggered a short‑term rally in the Worldcoin token, though its longer‑term price trajectory remains negative.
- Privacy and regulatory issues are likely to be the biggest obstacles to widespread adoption.
- If successful, the platform could set a new standard for authenticity in social media, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape dominated by X.
As the project moves beyond the conceptual stage, further details on integration with OpenAI’s existing AI services, the exact user onboarding flow, and the handling of biometric data will be critical to assess its viability and impact on both the social and cryptocurrency sectors.
Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/worldcoin-token-spike-report-openai-build-biometric-x-rival?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound
