A South Korean committee tasked with overseeing personal information issues is conducting an investigation into Worldcoin’s practices of collecting and handling sensitive data.
According to a government notice released on Monday, the Personal Information Protection Committee launched the investigation into the digital identity project on February 29 in response to complaints regarding the gathering and processing of personal data, including iris scanning.
The notice reveals that Worldcoin affiliates are currently gathering facial and iris recognition data at approximately 10 locations across Korea.
In light of these concerns, the committee intends to examine the overall collection and transfer of personal information, both domestically and internationally. If violations of the Personal Information Protection Act are identified, appropriate actions will be taken, the notice states.
Privacy Concerns Mount as South Korean Authorities Scrutinize Worldcoin’s Data Collection Practices
Worldcoin, a digital identity project, finds itself embroiled in a privacy controversy as concerns regarding its data collection practices escalate. The project is currently under scrutiny from authorities in South Korea due to allegations of collecting and processing sensitive personal information.
The investigation, initiated by the Personal Information Protection Committee, was prompted by complaints received regarding the handling of personal data by Worldcoin. This includes the collection of data such as facial and iris recognition information, which has raised significant privacy concerns among individuals and regulatory bodies alike.
Worldcoin’s affiliates have been reportedly gathering such data from around 10 locations across South Korea, intensifying the scrutiny surrounding the project’s practices.
The government notice issued regarding the investigation signals a growing backlash against Worldcoin’s privacy practices. It underscores the importance of adhering to regulations outlined in the Personal Information Protection Act and emphasizes the potential consequences should violations be identified.
The unfolding privacy backlash against Worldcoin highlights the importance of transparent and ethical data collection practices in the digital age. As the investigation progresses, stakeholders will closely monitor developments to ensure that privacy rights are upheld and regulatory standards are met.
Despite concerns about the collection of sensitive data, nearly 4 million individuals have signed up.
Worldcoin’s objective is to institute a universal basic income system, providing individuals with regular cryptocurrency grants as a guaranteed source of income. To ensure equitable distribution of grants among individuals, it employs a device called the “Orb,” which scans people’s eyes.
The Worldcoin Foundation, in a statement to Cryptonews in February, stated that its mission is “to facilitate access and participation in the global digital economy while safeguarding privacy.”
A spokesperson for Worldcoin clarified, “Worldcoin does not aim to identify individuals; rather, it verifies human uniqueness. Therefore, any data used for verifying this uniqueness is promptly deleted by default.” The project encourages regulators and consumers to seek information or clarifications about its programs.
Despite controversy surrounding its methods, Worldcoin has amassed over 3.9 million sign-ups as of early March and records over 450,000 average daily wallet transactions.
