Worldcoin enforces biometric data collection laws

The Worldcoin Foundation on Tuesday ensured it complies with biometric data collection laws after the National Data Protection Commission (CNPD) decided to suspend the organization’s collection of iris and facial data.

“Worldcoin fully complies with all laws and regulations governing the collection and transfer of biometric data, including the European General Data Protection Regulation,” assured Worldcoin Foundation Head of Data Protection Yannick Preivis in a written response to Lusa.

The organization also stated that it “has the greatest respect for the role and responsibilities of data protection authorities, including the CNPD in Portugal,” to which it has demonstrated a willingness to respond to questions or concerns.

“The CNPD report is the first contact we have had from them on many of these issues, including the issue of screening of minors in Portugal, which we have zero tolerance for and are working to resolve in all cases, no matter how few. situation,” Worldcoin emphasized.

In a statement released Tuesday, CNPD explained that the company has already been informed of this temporary suspension, which will continue until the investigation is completed and a final decision is made on the matter.

This urgent temporary measure follows “dozens of reports” received by CNPD last month alleging the collection of data from minors without the permission of their parents or other legal guardians, as well as deficiencies in the information provided to owners. if it is not possible to delete data or revoke consent.

Following these complaints, the CNPD already at the beginning of the month advised citizens to think carefully before sharing this data.

The CNPD also said that news coverage in the media had brought to its attention that more than 300,000 people in Portugal had already provided their biometric data, an important condition for receiving a certain value in the cryptocurrency known as Worldcoin.

A few months ago, the company began in several countries taking digital images of the irises of people who voluntarily completed this registration, in exchange for compensation in cryptocurrency (a virtual currency used on the Internet) equivalent to approximately 70 euros.

Data collection locations using the Orb device, located in large retail areas, have almost doubled in size in six months.

“The large influx of people, including minors, to join the Worldcoin project and receive “tokens” (cryptocurrency) has led to the need to pre-book the registration process and collect biometric data,” the CNPD recalled, emphasizing that there is “no age verification mechanism participants.”

Thus, the CNPD justified this “urgent intervention” to “prevent serious or irreparable harm” by the fact that the risk to the fundamental rights of citizens is high.

Quoted in the statement, CNPD President Paula Meira Lourenço believes that “this order of temporary restriction of the collection of biometric data by the Worldcoin Foundation is currently an indispensable and justified measure to obtain a beneficial effect from the protection of public interests in ensuring fundamental rights, especially the rights of minors.”

CNPD said it is continuing its investigation, taking “additional steps” and reviewing the reports it continues to receive daily in an effort to complete the process.

At the beginning of the month, the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) ordered the suspension of the company’s activities.

On February 20, AEPD announced it was investigating the company after receiving four complaints.

At the time, Worldcoin accused AEPD of “circumventing European Union law” and publishing “inaccurate and misleading statements” about its technology.