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“Are you human?”, as dystopian as it may seem, this is the question most found on the internet currently, especially after the popularization of artificial intelligence. Aiming to limit the actions of criminals who abuse technology for malicious purposes, cybersecurity companies have been seeking alternatives to verify if users are real human beings. The results, however, are controversial.
An example of these strategies is the World ID, a verification system based on users’ irises, developed by World. Initially, the project offered a financial benefit to those who underwent eye scanning, but this approach was quickly banned in Brazil due to privacy concerns of the participants. Currently, the company proposes integration with affiliated platforms, such as Tinder and Zoom, according to the BBC, where concerns about fake profiles and identity forgeries (deepfakes) are on the rise.
The benefits of human verification
Proponents of human verification point out its ability to reestablish online trust, especially in services like dating apps and social networks, where the spread of fraudulent accounts has been a serious problem.
Another argument concerns combating scams that rely on AI-generated identities. Particularly in the business context, deepfake technology has been used to mimic the appearance and voice of employees during online meetings and lead to fraudulent transactions. In a recent case in Hong Kong, the loss was 25 million dollars.
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The other side of the coin
But not everyone is in favor of the strategy. Many are concerned about the repercussions that biometric verification may generate, after all, unlike passwords, biometric characteristics cannot be simply changed if compromised. This makes the handling of these data particularly sensitive.
In a context where users are increasingly attentive to their own privacy (just observe the high frequency of searches for terms like “what is VPN” or “how to protect data online”), this argument gains considerable weight. Just as they know that public Wi-Fi networks can expose their browsing traffic when not protected by a VPN, users would certainly hesitate to provide their biometric data without solid security guarantees.
What the experts say
In response to these considerations, many companies claim not to store users’ biometrics directly. World, for example, according to g1, stated that its system creates a unique code from the iris reading and discards the individual’s personal data.
Privacy experts, however, are not convinced. They argue that even in light of these promises, users should still carefully examine how these systems operate. Special attention should be given to issues about data storage, processing methods, and the long-term oversight of these policies.
Regulatory bodies in various regions have also expressed concern about the collection and processing of these types of data. According to them, the focus should be on transparency. As reported by G1, users deserve clear explanations about what information is collected, how it is used, and what security measures are implemented to prevent misuse.
Maintaining security on dating apps and social networks
Whether human verification is widely implemented or not, one thing is certain: caution and skepticism remain healthy practices in the virtual environment. When interacting with new people online, therefore, users should take it slow and pay attention to details.
Classic warning signs include behaviors that convey an exaggerated anxiety to create emotional connections very quickly or to gain your trust in a short period. It is also prudent to avoid moving conversations to private messaging channels too early. Scammers often encourage users to leave moderated platforms, as this makes it harder to detect fraudulent activities.
Living in balance
The proposals for human verification represent an interesting attempt to tackle one of the most complex challenges of the current internet. However, these technologies do not come without risks. Biometric data is extremely sensitive, and public trust will depend directly on the transparency of the companies venturing into this endeavor.
Finding the balance between adopting these technological solutions and respecting the individual privacy of users should, therefore, be the ultimate goal.
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