Ledger CEO Criticizes Iris Scan-Based 'Proof of Humanity' Mechanism
Ledger CEO Pascal Gauthier publicly criticized the iris scan-based 'Proof of Humanity' mechanism, pointing out that building authentication on biometrics would centralize power on a global scale, placing data storage and access control in the hands of a few system operators.
He emphasized that identity systems should be centered around 'self-sovereignty', driven by hardware guarantees and user authorization, rather than issued by centralized devices or platforms; this statement is seen as a direct response to the current biometric identity paths represented by projects like Worldcoin, and is also part of Ledger's push to integrate AI with hardware.
Source: Public Information
ABAB AI Insight
The core of the controversy is not whether 'iris recognition is advanced', but rather 'who holds the control over identity'. Biometrics are essentially immutable underlying credentials, and once bound to a centralized system, users lose the ability to 'reset their identity'. This is different from traditional passwords or private keys, which at least have replaceability.
The so-called 'Proof of Humanity' is becoming a new entry layer in the AI era. As AI-generated content proliferates, the ability to distinguish 'humans from machines' begins to hold economic value, transforming identity systems from a marginal issue to core infrastructure. Once access is monopolized by a few systems, its influence will be akin to operating systems or payment networks.
Ledger's emphasis on 'hardware + self-sovereignty' essentially attempts to anchor identity in users' local devices and private key systems, rather than remote databases. This continues the long-standing design philosophy of the crypto industry: minimizing trust and decentralizing control. However, this path faces real resistance in user experience and scalability.
A larger structural divergence exists between two internet paths: one is 'centralized identity layer + compliant access', which facilitates regulation and scale expansion; the other is 'decentralized identity + user control', emphasizing censorship resistance and privacy. The emergence of AI amplifies this contradiction, as 'human identity' is shifting from a social attribute to a critical economic resource and access permission.