Giovanni Russo Bavaria’s Data Protection Office has initiated an investigation into Worldcoin’s data collection practices involving iris-scanning biometric technology. This move follows similar probes by Kenya’s Office of the Data Protection Commissioner and France’s National Commission for Informatics and Liberty, all expressing concerns about Worldcoin’s data-gathering methods. According to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the project witnessed a substantial sign-up rate of one person every eight seconds on July 26, 2023. However, France’s CNIL raised questions about the legality of the data collection, which was echoed by Kenya’s ODPC. Bavaria’s DPS has now joined the investigation due to concerns about the large-scale processing of sensitive data. The Worldcoin Foundation claims to have a robust privacy program and is cooperating with regulators in various jurisdictions, including Bavaria. With the project already operating in multiple countries, the outcome of these investigations could have significant implications for Worldcoin and its data practices.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Data protection
What is the Worldcoin project?
The Worldcoin project is a digital currency venture that utilizes iris-scanning biometric technology.
Why is Bavaria’s Data Protection Office investigating Worldcoin?
Bavaria’s Data Protection Office is investigating Worldcoin due to concerns about its data collection practices involving sensitive data at a large scale.
What other jurisdictions are investigating Worldcoin?
Apart from Bavaria, Kenya’s Office of the Data Protection Commissioner and France’s National Commission for Informatics and Liberty are also investigating Worldcoin.
What were the concerns raised by France’s CNIL about Worldcoin?
France’s CNIL raised concerns about the legality of Worldcoin’s data collection methods.
How many people signed up for Worldcoin on July 26, 2023?
On July 26, 2023, individuals signed up for Worldcoin at a rate of one person every eight seconds.
How is the Worldcoin Foundation responding to the investigations?
The Worldcoin Foundation claims to have a “robust privacy program” and is cooperating with regulators in all jurisdictions.
How many countries is the Worldcoin project operating in?
The Worldcoin project is currently operating in 18 different countries with 119 Orbs.
Who is the co-founder of Worldcoin?
The co-founder of Worldcoin is Sam Altman, who is also the CEO of OpenAI.
More about Data protection
- Reuters report: Link
- Worldcoin website: Link
- Kenya’s Office of the Data Protection Commissioner: Link
- France’s National Commission for Informatics and Liberty: Link
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman: Link
- Worldcoin Foundation: Link
5 comments
Iris scanning for makin’ money? Worldcoin’s in da spotlight! Bavarian Data Protection’s investigatin’ em. Kenya n France too! Better keep data private, folks!
wow, dis Worldcoin thing sounds like sum sci-fi stuff! Iris-scanning for digital cash? Crazy! Bavaria, Kenya, France – all want to check it out. Big privacy worries here!
Worldcoin’s data grabbin’ sprees got em in hot water! Bavarian watchdog’s sniffin’ round, Kenya’s watchin’, France’s investigatin’! data protect’n’s a big deal, y’all!
Worldcoin’s iris-scanning project has caught everyone’s attention! Even Bavaria, Kenya, and France wanna know what’s up. Big concerns ’bout data collection. Gotta stay safe!
bavaria data office’s on the case! worldcoin’s iris tech raisin eyebrows. kenya n france too! cnil said data collection looks shady. worldcoin’s got sum explnin’ 2 do!