World, the largest human-centered financial and identity network, expects a nationwide rollout of its unique human verification device in the Philippines within the year as a measure against cyber threats.
Damien Kieran, chief legal and privacy officer of World and Tools for Humanity, told reporters the plan is to launch “The Orb” — a secure and anonymous device that enables World ID holders to verify their humanness and uniqueness within the year.
Kieran said the pilot testing of the Orb is complete in select cities in Bulacan, with plans to expand verification locations to Metro Manila, including in Gateway Mall in Quezon City and Greenhills Mall in San Juan.
“The target market for World ID and the World Network is, honestly, every human. Our goal is for every person to be able to use it and to benefit from it,” he said.
With a verified World ID, Filipinos can join the more than 23 million World Network participants, including 11,823,144 verified humans, who have the ability to prove their humanness online, manage AI agents and combat bots, misinformation and deep fakes.
According to the World, the combination of a strong social media presence and rapid AI adoption highlighted the need for new tools to help protect Filipinos online.
“Between 2022 and 2023, deepfake-related identity fraud cases surged 4,500 percent in the Philippines, and reports of spikes in bot-driven misinformation and high-profile fraud and cyber cases continue as the country approaches a crucial midterm election in May,” it said.
Meanwhile, World and Tools for Humanity teamed up with the National Association of Data Protection Officers of the Philippines (NADPOP), the Philippine Computer Emergency Response Team (PH-CERT), Secure Digital Life Center (SDLC) to protect the digital lives of Filipinos and strengthen the country’s cyber ecosystem.
“Protecting people’s online presence is becoming increasingly important,” Kieran said.
“Through this collaboration, we are committed to bringing cutting-edge digital security solutions that will not only protect Filipinos but also enhance trust in online transactions and services,” he said.
Sam Jacoba, founding president of NADPOP and SDLC, cited the urgency of the initiative.
“We cannot afford to take digital security lightly. Every Filipino deserves to be protected online, and this initiative is a major step toward building a cyber-resilient nation and society. By working together, we can empower individuals, businesses, and government agencies to stay ahead of cyber threats,” he said.
With the Philippines ranking among the most targeted countries for cyberattacks in Southeast Asia, Lito Averia, founding president of PH-CERT and chairman of SDLC, said that cybersecurity is not just a technical issue — it’s a national priority.
“This collaboration is about securing the entire digital ecosystem of the Philippines, ensuring that businesses, communities, and individuals can thrive without fear of cyber threats,” he said.