OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has been conducting an investigation into the Worldcoin (WLD) project since late last year.
The project has garnered attention for its large-scale processing of sensitive biometric data, raising concerns over privacy and data protection.
Launched recently, Worldcoin requires users to undergo iris scans in exchange for a digital ID and free cryptocurrency, as part of its ambitious plan to establish an “identity and finance network.”
According to Michael Will, the head of the German data supervisory agency, the Bavarian State Data Protection Supervisory Office will lead the investigation into Worldcoin.
The project, initiated by Tools For Humanity, has a subsidiary in Germany, making it subject to scrutiny under the European Union’s data protection rules.
The main point of contention in the investigation revolves around the project’s use of new technologies for processing sensitive data on a massive scale.
Will expressed concerns that the implications of these technologies have not been fully established and analyzed, especially in the context of financial information transfer.
Will highlighted several risks associated with the processing of biometric data, including the question of whether users provide informed consent based on “adequate and clear” information.
Worldcoin claims that the data collected from users’ iris scans is not linked to personal information, but privacy oversight agencies in France and the UK have expressed doubts about the project’s data collection practices.
The controversy surrounding Worldcoin’s data collection has drawn the attention of privacy oversight agencies in multiple European countries.
While the project aims to create an innovative identity and finance network, it must navigate the complexities of data protection laws and gain the trust of regulators and users alike.
