Account Takeover (also: ATO)

Unauthorized access to a user's account.

Age Verification (also: AV, age block)

A process that confirms a user meets the minimum age requirement to access certain features or complete verification. Users who do not meet the age threshold may be prompted to verify their age before proceeding.

Agentic AI

AI that can take actions on your behalf, like browsing the web, making reservations, or completing tasks automatically. World ID helps verify that these AI actions are backed by a real, unique human, protecting platforms from bots and unauthorized automated activity.

AI (also: Artificial Intelligence)

Technology that enables computers to perform tasks that typically require human thinking, like recognizing patterns, understanding language, or making decisions. World ID is an anonymous proof of human for the age of AI, helping platforms tell the difference between real people and bots.

AMPC (also: Anonymized Multi-Party Computation)

Anonymized Multi-Party Computation — a cryptographic technique used to process biometric data across multiple parties without any single party having access to the full data. Used by World to enhance privacy during verification.

Authentication certificate (also: certificate)

What another participant sees when they select the Human Badge next to your name in a Zoom meeting. It confirms your World for Zoom authentication and shows when you authenticated and how long it stays valid. Viewing it requires the World for Zoom app running in that participant's Zoom client.

Backup (also: Back up, recovery setup)

A login method set up to secure and restore access to your account. Supported options include Passkey, Google sign-in, and Apple sign-in. Setting up at least one is strongly recommended — without it, account recovery may not be possible.

Bug report (also: Report an issue)

What you send when you use Report an issue in the World for Zoom panel to tell us something went wrong. You describe the problem and confirm you agree to share the report and related verification data with Tools for Humanity. It gives support the technical detail behind a failed authentication. It is evidence rather than a support ticket, so submitting one does not open a case or produce a reply.

Compliance Standards

A set of rules, regulations, and guidelines that ensure an organization operates lawfully and ethically.

Compliance Standards Framework

An agreement that stipulates punishable offenses and penalties associated with violations

Credential Issuer

An entity that issues credentials to users. For example Tools for Humanity issues Orb and NFC ID credentials. Any approved issuer can issue credentials within the World ID ecosystem.

Credential Verification (also: NFC verification, passport verification)

World ID verification method completed in-app using NFC-enabled documents such as a passport or national ID.

Credentials Hub

New tab in World ID App that will allow users to see different type of identity credentials connected to their World ID

data privacy

The practice of safeguarding personal or sensitive data, ensuring compliance with privacy laws, and giving users control over their information.

deepfake

A synthetic media, usually video or audio, created using artificial intelligence to impersonate real people, often for deceptive or manipulative purposes.

DPA (also: Data Privacy Authority)

Government or regulatory authority related to data privacy matters.

Face Authentication (also: Face Auth)

A security step that matches a selfie to encrypted data stored on the user's device, confirming the person using the World ID is the same person who verified.

Gimbal

The circular mirror at the center of the Orb that moves to align with a person's eyes.

Human Badge

The indicator that a person holds a Proof of Human credential in their World ID. It appears in the app and on accounts connected to a person's World ID. In Zoom meetings using World for Zoom, it is issued after a successful authentication and shown over the participant's video tile.

Human credential (also: Humanity verification)

Proof that a user has verified their humanity through World ID (i.e., they have completed the Orb verification process and are recognized as a real, unique human).

Login method (also: Log in, sign-in method)

The way a user signs in and restores access to their account. Supported options include Passkey, Google sign-in, and Apple sign-in. Setting up at least one login method is strongly recommended to ensure account recovery is possible.

NFC-enabled ID (also: NFC credential)

A government-issued identity document such as a passport or national ID with an NFC chip that can be used to verify credentials, without sharing data with third parties.

Occlusion

A condition during Orb verification where something partially blocks or obscures the user's iris, preventing a successful scan. This can be caused by physical characteristics, eyelashes, reflections, or other factors that interfere with the Orb's ability to capture a clear iris image. Users experiencing occlusion may need to reposition or seek assistance from an Orb operator.

Onboarding (also: Account creation, signup, new user)

The initial journey a new user takes when setting up their account — including downloading the app, creating an account, and completing identity verification at an Orb or through a supported credential.

One Human: One Account

The principle that each verified World ID is tied to a unique real person preventing duplicate accounts and bot abuse across the network.

Orb (also: Orb device)

In-person biometric verification device used to create or refresh high-assurance World ID credentials.

Orb Verification (also: Humanity verification)

World ID verification method completed at an Orb. Generally qualifies users for higher WLD than credential-only verification where eligible.

passkey (also: Passkeys)

Passwordless authentication method that allows users to sign in to apps or websites using cryptographic keys instead of traditional passwords.

PCP (also: Personal custody package)

Encrypted biometric data stored locally on the user's device. Not stored by the World team.

Private by Design

Private by design refers to the practice of integrating privacy and data protection principles into the design and development of products, services, and business practices, ensuring that privacy is preserved throughout the entire data lifecycle.

Proof of Ownership

An encoded value tied to a user's World ID that confirms a specific person controls a specific World ID account. Can be shared with support or trusted third parties to verify account ownership without revealing personal information.

QR Code

A two-dimensional barcode that can be scanned using a smartphone or other devices to quickly access information, links, or services.

ReAuth (also: World ID Re-Authentication, Reauthentication)

Reauthentication flow where a user visits an Orb to refresh their on-device encrypted package to continue using World ID features.

Relying Party (also: RP)

An app platform or service that accepts and verifies World ID credentials to grant access or privileges. Decides which credentials are acceptable for their use case.

Secure provisioning

The process of securely setting up and initializing a device or system such as an Orb with the credentials, keys, and software it needs to operate safely and as intended. Ensures the device has not been tampered with before use.

Single sign-on (also: SSO)

The sign-in method for the World Enterprise Portal. Administrators sign in through their organization's identity provider. There is no separate portal password.

Support Team

The team responsible for handling user inquiries, troubleshooting issues, and providing assistance across related products. Users can reach the Support Team directly through the in-app support channel.

Sybil Resistance

The ability of a system to prevent a single person from creating multiple fake accounts or identities. World ID achieves this through its one-human one-account verification model.

Three-way match

The check behind an authentication. Compares the images captured at the Orb, a live selfie, and live frames from the Zoom call.

Verification frequency

How often participants are asked to complete World for Zoom authentication again before their Human Badge stops being shown. Set for the whole organization by an administrator, in the portal's Integrations settings.

Verification Levels

The different tiers of World ID verification available to users ranging from medium to higher assurance. Orb verification provides the highest level (full Proof of Human), NFC or Credential verification provides a mid-level, and Selfie Check provides a medium-assurance option. The level accepted depends on the app or platform requiring verification.

World Enterprise Portal

The web application where an organization's IT administrators manage their World ID deployment.

World for Zoom

The integration that confirms a Zoom participant is the real, verified person their account says they are, during a live call.

World ID (also: WorldID)

The user's verification status and credentials, created through verification flows such as Orb or Credential Verification.

World Network

The global network of verified users and participants built on World ID.

ZKP (also: Zero-Knowledge Proof)

Zero-Knowledge Proof. A cryptographic method that allows a user to prove something is true (such as being a verified human) without revealing any underlying personal data.