Tools for Humanity's Worldcoin Previously Backed by Indonesian Investment Ministry, Orb Device Tested by Cak Imin
JAKARTA — The presence of Tools for Humanity with its Worldcoin and WorldID was previously supported by the Indonesian government. The iris-scanning device known as Orb was even tested by Coordinating Minister Muhaimin Iskandar, widely known as Cak Imin.
The Ministry of Investment and Downstream Industries/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) had in fact supported the entry of Tools for Humanity Corporation (TFH), the developer of Worldcoin and WorldID. According to an official BKPM statement, the permit was granted on 18 March 2025 through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Deputy Minister of Investment and Downstream Industries/Deputy Head of BKPM, Todotua Pasaribu, said TFH's presence was aimed at exploring investment opportunities in Indonesia's digital sector.
"This cooperation focuses on facilitating TFH's investment in the development and production of the Orb, a specialised camera device used in an artificial intelligence-based digital identity system, World ID," said Todotua, citing the official statement published on the BKPM website on 18 March 2025.
The information noted that TFH is a United States-based global technology company that developed World ID, a digital verification system that confirms a person's identity without collecting or storing personal data. The technology represents a significant step in strengthening digital security and anti-bot verification, amid growing threats such as deepfakes, identity theft, and AI-based cyber attacks. World ID enables individuals to prove their identity on websites, applications, and across the online world without needing to share personal data.
"Indonesia has established Digital Vision 2045, which focuses on innovation as the primary driver of the digital ecosystem. In the National Development Plan 2025-2029 and President Prabowo's Asta Cita, digital transformation is a key pillar in enhancing Indonesia's productivity and global competitiveness," Todotua explained.
Todotua outlined the significant potential of the digital economy, which is projected to reach US$130 billion this year. He said this growth would be driven by infrastructure investment, improved internet access, innovation across various sectors including fintech, healthtech, and edtech, as well as a tech-savvy young population.
"Our digital market projection of US$130 billion in 2025 and the potential to grow to US$360 billion by 2030 demonstrates just how important investment in this sector is, including in the field of artificial intelligence, which will make a significant contribution to national GDP," Todotua said at the time.
According to the PKB party's official website, the Orb scanning device from Tools for Humanity was tested by Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar, known as Cak Imin. In a photograph published on the PKB website dated 11 February 2025, Cak Imin was seen standing before the Orb device, holding his mobile phone close to the spherical apparatus.
A search of the official X account of Tools for Humanity (@tfh_technology) revealed a post stating: "An honour to work with prominent leaders, including the Honourable Coordinating Minister Iskandar and Mr Dino Patti Djalal, to help bring World ID to Indonesia. Together, we are working to empower more humans in the age of AI," Tools for Humanity posted on 19 February 2025.
The Ministry of Investment and Downstream Industries/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) had in fact supported the entry of Tools for Humanity Corporation (TFH), the developer of Worldcoin and WorldID. According to an official BKPM statement, the permit was granted on 18 March 2025 through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Deputy Minister of Investment and Downstream Industries/Deputy Head of BKPM, Todotua Pasaribu, said TFH's presence was aimed at exploring investment opportunities in Indonesia's digital sector.
"This cooperation focuses on facilitating TFH's investment in the development and production of the Orb, a specialised camera device used in an artificial intelligence-based digital identity system, World ID," said Todotua, citing the official statement published on the BKPM website on 18 March 2025.
The information noted that TFH is a United States-based global technology company that developed World ID, a digital verification system that confirms a person's identity without collecting or storing personal data. The technology represents a significant step in strengthening digital security and anti-bot verification, amid growing threats such as deepfakes, identity theft, and AI-based cyber attacks. World ID enables individuals to prove their identity on websites, applications, and across the online world without needing to share personal data.
"Indonesia has established Digital Vision 2045, which focuses on innovation as the primary driver of the digital ecosystem. In the National Development Plan 2025-2029 and President Prabowo's Asta Cita, digital transformation is a key pillar in enhancing Indonesia's productivity and global competitiveness," Todotua explained.
Todotua outlined the significant potential of the digital economy, which is projected to reach US$130 billion this year. He said this growth would be driven by infrastructure investment, improved internet access, innovation across various sectors including fintech, healthtech, and edtech, as well as a tech-savvy young population.
"Our digital market projection of US$130 billion in 2025 and the potential to grow to US$360 billion by 2030 demonstrates just how important investment in this sector is, including in the field of artificial intelligence, which will make a significant contribution to national GDP," Todotua said at the time.
According to the PKB party's official website, the Orb scanning device from Tools for Humanity was tested by Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar, known as Cak Imin. In a photograph published on the PKB website dated 11 February 2025, Cak Imin was seen standing before the Orb device, holding his mobile phone close to the spherical apparatus.
A search of the official X account of Tools for Humanity (@tfh_technology) revealed a post stating: "An honour to work with prominent leaders, including the Honourable Coordinating Minister Iskandar and Mr Dino Patti Djalal, to help bring World ID to Indonesia. Together, we are working to empower more humans in the age of AI," Tools for Humanity posted on 19 February 2025.