According to a statement released this Friday, the National Data Protection Commission (CNPD) has received “several complaints” about Worldcoin’s collection of biometric data, advising citizens to “think carefully” before sharing this data.
“In recent days, the National Data Protection Commission has received several complaints from citizens about the specific conditions under which biometric data is collected by the Worldcoin project, expressing, in particular, great concern about the collection of data from minors without parental permission. “as well as concerns about how these biometric data may be used,” the organization said in the same note.
Given the “widespread news coverage of this issue,” “people have contacted the CNPD expressing doubts about exercising their rights and reporting that they have not been provided with sufficient information about the processing of their biometric data.”
The organization recalled that “an investigation is ongoing regarding the processing of personal data by the Worldcoin project in Portugal, which is at the decision-making stage.”
“However, the CNPD understands that from now on it is necessary to educate people who, having not yet provided their biometric data, are considering doing so in the near future,” urging them to “reflect on the confidentiality of the data they intend to provide, which is unique and forms part of their identities, as well as the risks this entails, and consider the value of sharing their biometric data with possible payment in return.”
CNPD also encourages people to read carefully and carefully the information on the processing of personal data available on the Project website, and to read carefully the information provided in the application before making their choice.”
The CNPD also believes that “parents should under no circumstances subject their minor children to the collection of biometric data, as this does not guarantee the best interests of the child, which must always be protected.”
On Wednesday, the CNPD said that “it is continuing its investigation of the Worldcoin project, which began in 2023 on its own initiative, having already carried out checks at the data collection sites, as well as conducting investigations among the companies involved in the project.” project, in order to obtain information regarding the processing of personal data.”
On the same day, the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) ordered the suspension of the company’s activities.
AEPD announced Feb. 20 that it was investigating the company following four complaints received by the agency.
A few months ago, the company began in several countries to take digital images of the iris of people who voluntarily completed this registration, in exchange for compensation in cryptocurrency (virtual currency used on the Internet) equivalent to approximately 70 euros.
Worldcoin, in turn, accused AEPD on Thursday of “circumventing European Union law” and publishing “inaccurate and misleading statements” about its technology.