The Hong Kong privacy watchdog has ordered Sam Altman’s Worldcoin project to cease all activities in the region, following an investigation that found the company had violated data privacy laws. The watchdog discovered that Worldcoin was collecting iris and facial images from the public using iris-scanning devices in exchange for free cryptocurrency. Over 8,000 people had their scans taken during the project’s operation, raising concerns about privacy and data protection.
The privacy commissioner, Ada Chung, determined that Worldcoin’s operations were in violation of Hong Kong’s data protection laws and that the collection of facial and iris images was unnecessary and excessive. The investigation also found that Worldcoin had not provided essential documents, such as privacy notices and consent forms, in Chinese, the primary language in Hong Kong. Participants were not adequately informed about the risks associated with surrendering biometric data and were not given the opportunity to address any concerns they had.
Despite Worldcoin’s claims that they prioritize adherence to applicable laws and regulations concerning personal information, the Hong Kong privacy watchdog found significant issues with the company’s data collection practices. The project’s popularity in Hong Kong, with over a million active users and 4 million downloads of its crypto wallet app, World App, highlights the importance of ensuring that users’ privacy and data protection rights are upheld.
The privacy office conducted several visits to Worldcoin’s locations between December and January before raiding the locations with warrants to gather evidence. These actions were prompted by concerns raised about Worldcoin’s data collection practices and the handling of biometric data. The investigation found that Worldcoin had failed to comply with data protection laws and had not adequately informed participants about the risks associated with providing biometric data.
In response to the findings of the investigation, the Hong Kong privacy watchdog instructed Worldcoin to stop all activities in the region, including the scanning and collection of iris and facial images. The company’s practices were deemed unfair and excessive, and it was found to have violated data privacy laws in Hong Kong. This serves as a warning to other companies operating in the region to ensure that they comply with data protection regulations and respect users’ privacy rights.
The case of Worldcoin in Hong Kong highlights the importance of protecting individuals’ privacy and data rights in the digital age. As technology advances and new forms of data collection emerge, regulators must remain vigilant in enforcing data protection laws to prevent abuses and violations. Companies must also prioritize transparency and accountability in their data collection practices to build trust with users and demonstrate a commitment to upholding privacy rights.
