Allegations of Illegal Biometric Data Collection Against Worldcoin
Colombian authorities have charged the Worldcoin cryptocurrency project with illegally collecting and storing biometric data. The Commission for the Protection of Personal Data (SIC) has launched an investigation to determine if Worldcoin is complying with local laws regulating the processing and storage of personal data.
As part of the investigation, SIC will determine whether the Worldcoin Foundation and Tools for Humanity companies obtained proper consent from users for collecting their biometric data. It will also verify if adequate security measures and privacy policies have been implemented to protect information and handle customer complaints appropriately.
If violations are found during the inspection, Worldcoin could face serious sanctions. Authorities may impose fines of up to $646,000 and even suspend or completely ban Worldcoin’s operations in Colombia.
In response to the accusations, Worldcoin’s management has stated their willingness to collaborate with regulators and provide all necessary information. They acknowledged that misunderstandings with regulatory agencies often arise in innovative projects, but confirmed their intention to ensure transparency in their work and address any issues that may arise.
Earlier, in July 2023, the French Data Protection Authority (CNIL) also expressed doubts about the legality of Worldcoin’s collection and storage of biometric data. Last year, the company suspended its operations in Kenya at the request of local authorities, but in June of this year, the investigation into the project concluded without finding any violations.
