Sam Altman’s cryptocurrency initiative, Worldcoin, has received an order from Spain to cease the collection and usage of individuals’ personal data.
The nation’s data protection authority, AEPD, has imposed a suspension on Worldcoin for up to three months, citing concerns about the organization’s practices as “circumventing EU law.”
Founded last year, Worldcoin rewards users with tokens for being “unique individuals.” To verify their uniqueness and receive the token, participants undergo an iris scan using a device known as “The Orb.”
The AEPD has reported numerous complaints regarding the project, including allegations of inadequate information provided to users, data collection from minors, and issues related to the withdrawal of consent.
The regulator emphasized that the processing of biometric data poses significant risks to individual rights, as outlined in the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). As a result, urgent measures have been implemented to prevent potentially irreversible harm.
Worldcoin’s data protection officer, Jannick Preiwisch, stated, “Our efforts to engage with the AEPD and provide them with an accurate view of Worldcoin and World ID have gone unanswered for months. We are thankful for the chance to clarify important facts regarding this essential and lawful technology.”
Worldcoin has also been in discussions with the Bavarian state authority in Germany, which holds jurisdiction and is currently investigating the project.