TLDR:
Spain has temporarily banned Sam Altman’s Worldcoin due to privacy concerns regarding the scanning of irises for a digital ID and free cryptocurrency. The Spanish data protection regulator demanded that Worldcoin cease collecting personal information immediately.
Article Summary:
- Spain has banned Sam Altman’s Worldcoin for up to three months amid perceived privacy risks
- Spanish data protection regulator AEPD demanded Worldcoin cease the collection of personal information
Spain’s data protection regulator, AEPD, issued a temporary ban on Sam Altman’s Worldcoin due to concerns over privacy risks. The venture, which scans irises in exchange for a digital ID and free cryptocurrency, was found to be collecting personal information without sufficient consent or information provided to users. The processing of biometric data, which is protected under the GDPR, was deemed to pose high risks to people’s rights.
Worldcoin, backed by venture capital names like a16z crypto and Bain Capital Crypto, has faced criticism from privacy advocates worldwide. Despite claims that biometric data is either deleted or stored securely, the project has drawn scrutiny for its collection, storage, and use of personal data. More than 4 million people in 120 countries have signed up for Worldcoin’s “orb” devices, which scan irises for identification purposes.
The Spanish regulator’s decision to temporarily ban Worldcoin’s activities is seen as a move to protect people’s rights and privacy. It emphasized the need for urgent action to prevent irreparable damage and ensure that individuals are entitled to the protections provided by data privacy regulations. Meanwhile, neighboring Portugal is also investigating Worldcoin’s data processing practices to ensure compliance with GDPR.
