- Worldcoin faces global privacy regulators’ investigation into biometric data security.
- Kenyan government halts Worldcoin registrations amid concerns over user data handling.
- France’s data privacy commission questions Worldcoin’s legality; Germany, and the UK investigate.
Concerns regarding the security of Worldcoin’s biometric data collection have led privacy regulators all across the world to take action against the Silicon Valley-backed ID business. People should have access to a distinctive, secure form of identification that cannot be stolen or reproduced, according to Worldcoin and its parent business, Tools for Humanity.
The price of a Worldcoin token is currently around $1.90, however, speculation has more of an impact on the token’s worth than the fact that it can currently be used as money.
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Early users of Worldcoin received cryptocurrency valued between $50 and $60 as part of the promotion when it launched in July. Most of the nations where Worldcoin first debuted don’t use or accept cryptocurrency broadly. One of the nations where Worldcoin is being urged to register is Kenya, where the monthly average salary is almost $170.
Last week, tens of thousands of Kenyans lined up in Nairobi to sign up for Worldcoin. They had their irises scanned in exchange for 25 coins worth around $50. Since then, the Kenyan government has halted new Worldcoin registrations while it looks into whether users’ data is being protected appropriately.
Privacy experts worry that Worldcoin may use the data for other purposes, such as targeted advertising. This prompted various nations, notably France, Germany, and now Kenya, to look into the workings of Worldcoin.
Worldcoin and Tools for Humanity’s data security procedures are the subject of an extensive examination by the Bavarian State Office for Data Protection Supervision.
The organization is investigating whether the rights of those who provided their data were respected and that they were given the option to object, have their data destroyed, or withdraw their consent.
The legality of Worldcoin’s data gathering and storage practices, according to France’s data privacy commission, “seems questionable.”It started an investigation and discovered that the strong data privacy laws in Europe gave the German privacy watchdog jurisdiction. Further investigating Worldcoin is being done by the U.K. Information Commissioner’s Office.
Privacy experts are concerned that, like other major corporations, Worldcoin may eventually be vulnerable to criminals hacking it. It is already possible for biometric data to be sold in other nations or jurisdictions, including China. Worldcoin acknowledged the privacy issues with its new service but insisted that nothing is required and no personal information is ever published.
