4 months ago
9 ARTICLE AD
Privacy watchdog deems Worldcoin's data collection in Hong Kong excessive, unnecessary, and unfair.
Hong Kong’s privacy watchdog has banned Worldcoin from collecting biometric data within its jurisdiction, according to a notice issued on May 22 by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD).
“The Privacy Commissioner has served an enforcement notice on Worldcoin Foundation, directing it to cease all operations of the Worldcoin project in Hong Kong in scanning and collecting iris and face images of members of the public using iris scanning devices,” the PCPD stated.
As reported, the PCPD has long been concerned about potential privacy risks associated with Worldcoin. In January 2024, the regulator launched an investigation to see if the project’s practices violated the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO).
The investigation revealed that Worldcoin collected participants’ faces and irises through scanning to verify their identity and give them free WLD tokens. However, according to the PCPD, these practices were “excessive” and “unnecessary.”
The regulator also pointed out that Worldcoin’s data collection was unfair. Specifically, information about data collection and risks wasn’t available in Chinese, the primary language for many participants.
The PCPD claimed that Worldcoin would store user data for ten years, which the regulator considers “too long.”
Furthermore, participants weren’t adequately informed about their rights or the purpose of data collection. Worldcoin didn’t conduct age verification before scanning.
“Overall speaking, Worldcoin failed to provide adequate information to participants to enable them to make an informed choice or give a real consent. The PCPD considered that the collection of face and iris images under the above circumstances constituted an unfair collection,” the PCPD noted.
In addition to the request to stop operating in the country, the privacy watchdog advised the public to report any activity involving iris or face scans.
This enforcement is part of a broader trend, with Spain, Portugal, and Buenos Aires taking similar actions against the crypto project.
Despite ongoing regulatory challenges, Worldcoin’s user base continues to grow, with its World App wallet reaching 10 million users in less than a year.
The project itself has made several efforts to ensure user data privacy and comply with regulations. In March, Worldcoin’s co-founder Alex Blania announced the open-sourcing of their ORB technology and new features for user data control.
The information on or accessed through this website is obtained from independent sources we believe to be accurate and reliable, but Decentral Media, Inc. makes no representation or warranty as to the timeliness, completeness, or accuracy of any information on or accessed through this website. Decentral Media, Inc. is not an investment advisor. We do not give personalized investment advice or other financial advice. The information on this website is subject to change without notice. Some or all of the information on this website may become outdated, or it may be or become incomplete or inaccurate. We may, but are not obligated to, update any outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate information.
Crypto Briefing may augment articles with AI-generated content created by Crypto Briefing’s own proprietary AI platform. We use AI as a tool to deliver fast, valuable and actionable information without losing the insight - and oversight - of experienced crypto natives. All AI augmented content is carefully reviewed, including for factural accuracy, by our editors and writers, and always draws from multiple primary and secondary sources when available to create our stories and articles.
You should never make an investment decision on an ICO, IEO, or other investment based on the information on this website, and you should never interpret or otherwise rely on any of the information on this website as investment advice. We strongly recommend that you consult a licensed investment advisor or other qualified financial professional if you are seeking investment advice on an ICO, IEO, or other investment. We do not accept compensation in any form for analyzing or reporting on any ICO, IEO, cryptocurrency, currency, tokenized sales, securities, or commodities.
