Worldcoins utopian aims, dystopian fears
A metallic orb scans your iris and turns it into a numeric code, providing a unique ID that confirms you as human. \n\nThis is the process people in dozens of countries are undergoing for Worldcoin, a new cryptocurrency project that\u2019s handing out free tokens and even local currency in exchange for biometric verification. \n\nThe project claims it can prove our personhood online and enable voting, financial equality or even the distribution of a universal basic income. But even before its official launch late last month, Worldcoin was already facing accusations of deception, exploitation and crypto-colonialism in countries like Kenya and Sudan. \n\nToday, Jacob Silverman explains the utopian promises and dystopian fears surrounding Worldcoin. Silverman is co-author of Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud, and he\u2019s also the host of Front Burner\u2019s special series The Naked Emperor.\n\nFor transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts