Key highlights:
- OpenAI is developing a human-only social platform requiring biometric verification for all users.
- The WLD token rose 40% after the announcement, reflecting investor enthusiasm.
- Biometric verification uses Apple Face ID or World Orb, the same technology behind Worldcoin
The price of the Worldcoin (WLD) token surged 40% following news that OpenAI is developing a human-only social platform designed as an alternative to X (formerly Twitter). However, the token has since given back most of its gains, dropping from its local peak of $0.63 to its current price of $0.49.
According to Forbes, OpenAI is creating a “people-only platform” that requires identity verification for all users. A small team of just 10 people has been working on the project since early 2025.
Biometric verification via World Orb
User verification is planned through Apple’s Face ID or World Orb, the iris and facial scanner technology used in the Worldcoin blockchain project. World Orb ensures that each user is a unique individual, preventing bots from joining the network.
Image: Worldcoin/X
This system is central to the Worldcoin ecosystem and the acquisition of a verified World ID. While privacy concerns have been debated, the technology is intended to provide trust and security for users interacting with the platform.
Integration details with OpenAI products remain limited, but ChatGPT is expected to assist users in creating content such as videos and photos while maintaining verified identity.
Fighting bots and market response
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has criticized bots on social media, particularly on X. He noted in September that current experiences on major platforms often feel “fake” due to machine-generated content.
i have had the strangest experience reading this: i assume its all fake/bots, even though in this case i know codex growth is really strong and the trend here is real.
i think there are a bunch of things going on: real people have picked up quirks of LLM-speak, the Extremely… https://t.co/9buqM3ZpKe
— Sam Altman (@sama) September 8, 2025
Creating a platform exclusively for humans appears to be a direct response to this issue. If successful, OpenAI could significantly impact the social media market.
The WLD token’s rise reflects investor optimism. Despite this surge, the token remains down nearly 70% over the past 12 months, reflecting the broader crypto market downturn in late 2025.
Challenges ahead
From a technological perspective, scaling biometric verification to millions of users presents major infrastructure challenges. Historical attempts to combat bots, such as Google+ and Clubhouse, illustrate that even promising platforms can struggle with spam and fake accounts.
Although OpenAI is leveraging advanced AI to secure the platform, a potential trade-off is that verification could create barriers to entry. Ease of registration often drives adoption more than content quality, highlighting a key challenge for the new social network.