Hong Kong authorities have launched a probe into Worldcoin to uncover potential “serious personal data privacy risks,” according to a local media outlet report on Wednesday.
Authorities Investigate Worldcoin Practices
Per the report, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) in Hong Kong, on January 31, investigated six locations where Worldcoin verifications were taking place. These sites include Yau Ma Tei, Kwun Tong, Wan Chai, Cyberport, Central, and Causeway Bay.
Founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Worldcoin is an iris biometric crypto project that utilizes iris scans through special “Orb” devices to generate unique “World IDs” linked to users’ iris patterns. These iris scans are converted into a numeric code, and images are deleted by default. Worldcoin also operates its own cryptocurrency, dubbed WLD, which was offered to users during the project’s launch in July 2023.
According to the PCPD, Worldcoin’s collection and processing of sensitive personal data may have violated the provisions of the Privacy Ordinance.
“The PCPD is concerned that the operation of Worldcoin in Hong Kong involves serious risks to personal data privacy, and believes that the collection and processing of sensitive personal data by the relevant organisation may be in contravention of the requirements of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance,” the regulator said.
As part of the investigation, PCPD has requested that Worldcoin hand over documents and information related to the project.
Worldcoin Responds
In a statement responding to the development, the Worldcoin Foundation, a non-profit that supports the development of Worldcoin, expressed its commitment to complying with all relevant data privacy laws and regulations in Hong Kong.
“Worldcoin welcomes regulators, including the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD), and consumers to inquire and seek information or clarifications about its programs available to the people in their communities, cities, countries or regions,” a spokesperson for Foundation told Coinfomania.
The latest development adds to a series of regulatory scrutiny faced by the Worldcoin project in recent months. In July 2023, Coinfomania reported that France’s privacy regulator was probing the project over “questionable” data collection practices.
Before that, UK and Germany’s privacy regulators said they planned to investigate Worldcoin’s retina scanner to verify its safety.
Update: This article was updated on February 1, 2024, at 15:00 UTC to include a comment from a Worldcoin spokesperson and clarify specific wording around Worldcoin’s products.
