OpenAI is working on a social network that bans bots by design. According to a Forbes report, the platform will ditch traditional email or SMS verification in favor of biometric authentication, making it nearly impossible for automated scripts to create accounts.
Orb Eye Scanner Plus Apple Face ID
Primary verification relies on World's Orb device, a hardware that scans the user's iris to generate a unique proof of personhood. World—co-founded by OpenAI's Sam Altman—has already used this technology to onboard over 17 million users globally. OpenAI is also exploring integration with Apple Face ID as an additional verification layer, allowing mobile users to confirm they are human without carrying extra hardware. The combined use of iris scan and facial recognition sets a high bar for impersonators.
Why a Bot-Free Platform Now
Existing social networks like X, Instagram, and TikTok are flooded with bot accounts and AI-generated content, degrading genuine user interactions. OpenAI aims to solve this by making identity verification mandatory rather than optional. The move builds on the company's experience with ChatGPT and Sora, bringing a different approach: use AI to fight AI-generated bots by proving every user is real. Sources say the platform will prioritize authenticity over engagement metrics.
17 Million Already Verified, Privacy Concerns Surface
World's Orb is no prototype—it has already scanned over 17 million people across 17 countries, issuing each a digital credential. This massive biometric database has drawn criticism from privacy advocates, who caution that iris data—once lost—cannot be reset like a password. World claims the data is encrypted and user-controlled, but OpenAI has not yet clarified how its platform would handle the same data. The project is still in early stages; release date and platform name are not public. OpenAI declined to comment.