Zoom, the meeting platform, has partnered with Sam Altman’s identity venture World to introduce a new system that verifies whether participants in a call are real humans. The feature, called World ID Deep Face, is designed to address the growing risk of AI-generated avatars and impersonation.
Why is Zoom introducing human verification?
The company said the move is targeted at enterprises and regulated sectors where identity assurance is critical.
“Designed for enterprises and regulated industries, this integration adds an additional layer of assurance to conversations, helping organisations reduce the risk of impersonation during critical moments such as financial approvals, healthcare consultations, and executive decision-making sessions,” Zoom said in a blog post.
The rollout comes amid rising concerns over AI-enabled fraud. Citing estimates from Deloitte, Zoom noted that such fraud losses in the US could reach $40 billion by 2027. With rapid advances in AI-generated video and imagery, distinguishing between real and synthetic identities has become increasingly difficult.
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How World ID deep face works
Unlike conventional tools that scan videos for signs of manipulation, this system focuses on confirming that a real person is present.
Users first need to enrol by verifying their identity through an Orb device, a specialised camera developed by Tools for Humanity. This process captures an iris scan and generates a unique proof-of-human identity.
When joining a protected Zoom meeting, the system performs a quick verification by matching the live video feed with the stored Orb data and a selfie authentication within the World App. Once verified, a “Verified Human” badge appears on the user’s profile and video tile.
Zoom has also introduced a “Deep Face Waiting Room”, where participants must complete verification before entering a meeting. Hosts can also request identity checks during a call if needed.
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Tinder and others join in
The rollout is not limited to meetings. Dating app Tinder has also adopted World ID system globally after testing it in Japan. Users who verify themselves using the Orb will receive a badge confirming they are real individuals. In markets like the US and Japan, verified users may also get perks such as free profile boosts.
Beyond dating and video calls, companies like Razer and Mythical Games are exploring the technology to separate human players from bots in gaming environments. Reddit has also indicated it is considering similar proof-of-human systems for accounts suspected to be automated.
