Worldcoin Plans Legal Action Against Spain Post Data Collection Cease Order

• Worldcoin is planning to file a court challenge in response to the recent move by AEPD.
• The acquisition of sensitive iris biometric data has already resulted in several crackdown.

In response to an order by Spain’s data protection regulator, AEPD, to cease personal data collecting in the country or utilize the previously gathered data, Worldcoin—an iris biometric crypto project co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman—has launched a lawsuit against Spain.

On March 8, TechCrunch reported that Tools for Humanity, creators of Worldcoin, were planning to file a court challenge in response to the recent move by AEPD.

Ongoing Scrutiny

Worldcoin fully conforms with all laws and regulations regulating the collecting and distribution of biometric data, including Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), according to Tools for Humanity’s lawsuit filed against the order.

Worldcoin spokesperson Rebecca Hahn stated:

“As a result, we have been in consistent and ongoing dialogue with BayLDA, our lead data privacy regulator in the EU, for several months. We are disappointed that Spanish regulators have circumvented accepted EU procedures and rules, leaving us with few options but to file a lawsuit.” 

Out of concerns over the collection and utilization of personal data, particularly those associated with iris and facial scans, the PIPC of South Korea had already initiated an inquiry into Worldcoin. Specifically, the panel was worried about potential breaches of the Personal Information Protection Act. The Hong Kong Privacy Commissioner’s Office (PCPD) has also launched an inquiry along these lines. At six Worldcoin locations in Hong Kong, the PCPD investigated potential privacy risks.

The acquisition of sensitive iris biometric data has already resulted in a similar governmental crackdown on Worldcoin. Regulators in France, Brazil, and India were so worried that Worldcoin pulled the plug on its Orb-verification service.

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