The Workplace of the Privateness Commissioner for Private Knowledge (PCPD) in Hong Kong has initiated an investigation into Worldcoin over information privateness issues associated to its assortment of biometric information, based on a Jan. 31 press release.
The PCPD mentioned it executed court docket warrants to enter six Worldcoin premises on Jan. 31 in Yau Ma Tei, Kwun Tong, Wan Chai, Cyperport, Central, and Causeway Bay.
Hong Kong raids
In response to the PCPD, the investigation focuses on the potential misuse of non-public information, significantly the biometric information collected by Worldcoin in alternate for cryptocurrency tokens. The regulator mentioned there are important dangers in accumulating such delicate information, and there are issues that Worldcoin is in “contravention” of regulatory necessities associated to information assortment and storage.
The PCPD’s motion goals to find out whether or not Worldcoin information assortment practices adjust to the Private Knowledge (Privateness) Ordinance (PDPO). The operation concerned the gathering of paperwork and knowledge from Worldcoin to assessment its information assortment and processing strategies.
The watchdog has suggested the general public to contemplate the need, objective, and retention interval of biometric information assortment earlier than collaborating in such actions. The regulator emphasised the sensitivity of biometric information, given its distinctive and unalterable nature.
The PDPO mandates that organizations acquire private information for lawful functions and safe the information in opposition to unauthorized or unintentional entry and use. It additionally restricts utilizing private information for brand spanking new functions with out specific consent.
The PCPD additionally requested that the general public submit any complaints and knowledge concerning Worldcoin’s information practices.
Worldcoin’s regulatory woes
The Worldcoin challenge is present process comparable investigations in a number of nations because of privateness issues over accumulating biometric information, notably iris scans, for digital id verification and cryptocurrency distribution.
The Bavarian State Workplace for Knowledge Safety Supervision in Germany initiated its investigation in 2022, pushed by issues concerning the scale of delicate biometric information processing. The probe focuses on the legality of Worldcoin’s practices beneath the EU’s strict information safety rules, significantly scrutinizing problems with consumer consent and the readability of knowledge offered to customers about their information utilization.
Equally, the Argentine Company for Entry to Public Info (AAIP) launched an investigation into the challenge after a surge in local interest. The AAIP is inspecting Worldcoin’s adherence to native information safety legal guidelines, particularly specializing in how the corporate safeguards the privateness of its customers in Argentina. This contains reviewing the safety measures Worldcoin employs to guard the collected biometric information.
In the meantime, the Kenyan authorities has suspended Worldcoin’s operations within the nation following an investigation deemed its actions to be “espionage.”The challenge has been working with the authorities to resolve the state of affairs.
