Growing numbers of world governments are beginning to scrutinize the services provided by Worldcoin, which is described as a crypto-related initiative that’s co-founded by OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman that was officially launched in July of this year.
Nearly 2.3 million consumers throughout the world have reportedly signed up in order to have their irises scanned by Worldcoin‘s “orb” devices so that they can obtain an all-digital ID as well as “free” virtual currency.
Altman explained that its ID should enable clients to, among other features/options, confirm online that they’re actually human, which could be well-suited for a future environment that’s heavily influenced/supported by AI algorithms.
Despite these seemingly innovative technologies, Worldcoin has managed to draw considerable criticism from privacy advocates regarding its data collection process. The initiative’s developers have stated that the biometric data gets deleted or resides in an encrypted format, and that it’s focused on working cooperatively with regulatory authorities.
In a report compiled by Reuters, it was noted that in Argentina, where Worldcoin claims that interest in the initiative is relatively quite strong, the Agencia de Acceso a Informacion Publica (AAIP) data regulatory authority stated that this past month, it had been looking into whether Worldcoin had remained compliant during their data collection process, as well as the storage and use of users’ personal data.
In a note summitted on August 7, 2023, the AAIP had requested that Worldcoin provide additional details regarding the initiative, such as the effective mitigation of relevant risks as well as the “legal basis for the processing of personal data.”
Meanwhile, Britain’s data regulator stated back in July 2023 that it may investigate the operations of the Worldcoin platform.
The Information Commissioner’s Office stated that they “note the launch of Worldcoin in the UK and will be making further enquiries,”
And France’s data regulator CNIL has reportedly performed various checks at Worldcoin’s Paris location this past week, according to a representative.
CNIL has also noted that it knows about Worldcoin’s initiative and that the legal aspects of its biometric data collection appears to be “questionable.”
And a German data regulatory has been conducting a probe into Worldcoin operations since last year, because of apparent concerns/potential issues regarding its processing of users’ biometric data, it stated.
Financial regulator Bafin is also conducting a probe into the project’s virtual currency, according to a report from Handelsblatt.
Last month, Kenya had halted Worldcoin’s domestic operations as the nation’s authorities examined the various risks such a project could pose to the safety and wellbeing of the general public.
An initial examination had led to potentially serious concerns, such as the platform’s ability to acquire user consent in exchange for a financial incentive that’s bordering on “inducement,” the Communications Authority of Kenya and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner claimed.
And in Portugal, the European nation’s data regulator, the CNPD, has looked into Worldcoin’s data collection processes and has been communicating with the Bavarian data protection agency in Germany, a representative stated. The CNPD could decide to make the findings of its investigation public in “due time,” it revealed.