Argentinian lawmaker Carlos Puglelli has introduced a draft bill aimed at regulating Worldcoin and its activities in the country. The bill seeks to protect consumer rights by requiring companies that collect biometric data, such as Worldcoin through iris scanning drives, to be transparent about how the data is used. The bill also calls for more oversight and control over companies like Worldcoin, which operate iris-scanning centers in Argentina.
Puglelli’s bill is part of a growing effort by Argentine lawmakers to investigate Worldcoin and its operator, Tools for Humanity. Romina Braga, another member of the Buenos Aires assembly, has called for an official investigation into the crypto project, citing concerns about privacy and data security. The national data protection agency has also launched an investigation into Worldcoin earlier in the year. The proposed bill aims to create a regulatory framework for biometric data collection and establish penalties for any misuse of this data.
If adopted, the bill would appoint the Provincial Directorate for the Defense of the Rights of Consumers and Users as the supervisor of Worldcoin in Argentina. This regulatory body would oversee consumer relations in the digital sphere and ensure trust and IT security. Worldcoin has been operating in Argentina for over a year, with thousands of citizens providing their biometric data to the Cayman Islands-based company. The lack of clarity regarding the use of iris-scanned data by Worldcoin has raised concerns among lawmakers and regulators.
In addition to Argentina, Mexican lawmakers have also voiced concerns about Worldcoin’s data collection practices. Chile, Spain, Germany, France, South Korea, and Hong Kong have launched investigations into Worldcoin’s activities related to data collection. In Portugal, Worldcoin has been ordered to halt data collection activities. These investigations are part of a broader effort to ensure compliance with national regulations and protect consumer privacy in the face of increasing data-related concerns.
Despite the growing scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators, Worldcoin continues to operate its iris-scanning centers in various countries. Public enthusiasm for the project remains high, but concerns about privacy and data security persist. The push for increased transparency and oversight of companies like Worldcoin highlights the challenges posed by the digital era. It remains to be seen how Worldcoin will respond to the calls for regulation and whether the proposed bill in Argentina will be adopted to address the data-related issues raised by lawmakers. Controversy surrounding Worldcoin’s operations in multiple countries underscores the need for a comprehensive regulatory framework to protect consumer rights in the digital age.
