Sam Altman ‘orb’ spotted inside San Francisco Gap store
A stunning white device created by billionaire Sam Altman’s mysterious crypto startup is now being used for “human verification” inside a Gap store in San Francisco. The purpose of this device, which resembles a bowling ball-sized orb with a glowing orange eye, remains a mystery as Gap has not provided any details about its usage.
The orb, located in the Marina District store, is equipped to collect biometric data by capturing images of individuals’ faces. A plaque near the device states, “At Gap, we believe in originality, authenticity — what makes us human. That’s why we’re partnering with World, to bridge the gap between humans and technology.” World, the startup backed by Altman and formerly known as WorldCoin, promotes itself as “the real human network” aimed at distinguishing humans from AI bots. It offers a “world ID” along with an app, blockchain, and digital token to its users.
Participants who consent to the process have their irises and faces photographed by the orb to create a unique ID stored on their phones. WorldCoin has set a lofty goal of acquiring 1 billion users, though as of November, the numbers fell far short of this target amidst growing privacy concerns surrounding data collection practices.
To incentivize participation, WorldCoin rewards individuals with its cryptocurrency tokens, Worldcoin, equivalent to $42 for undergoing the facial scanning process. However, reports have surfaced suggesting that vulnerable populations, including the homeless, have been exploited through these financial incentives.
The presence of these orbs is not limited to the Gap store in San Francisco, as they are also found in other locations across North America, Colombia, and parts of Asia. Regulatory hurdles have hindered their expansion in certain European countries. Despite the controversy surrounding the data collection process, a World consultant stationed at the Gap store reassured that the orb only generates an encrypted code without gathering any additional personal information, as reported by the Gazetteer.
Both Gap and World have yet to provide any explanation regarding the purpose of the orb or address the concerns raised by the public. The use of such technology raises questions about privacy, consent, and the ethical implications of biometric data collection in retail settings.
