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Home CRYPTO

Portugal Halts Worldcoin’s Biometric Harvest: Privacy Concerns Rise

Michael Juanico by Michael Juanico
March 26, 2024
in CRYPTO
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  • Portugal’s National Data Protection Commission banned Worldcoin from collecting biometric data for 3 months over privacy concerns like lack of age verification and inability to delete data.
  • Worldcoin denies wrongdoing, claiming it doesn’t allow minors and is addressing reports, though Spain also banned Worldcoin over identical issues.
  • Worldcoin faces growing regulatory scrutiny over biometric data collection practices, with bans in Portugal and Spain potentially just the beginning unless it can satisfy regulators.

Portugal’s National Data Protection Commission (CNPD) recently announced a temporary ban on Worldcoin collecting biometric data in the country. This decision comes amid regulatory concerns over the crypto project’s data collection practices.

ICYMI: 🇵🇹 Portugal bans Worldcoin $WLD from collecting biometric data for three months

— BlockNews.com (@blocknewsdotcom) March 26, 2024

Details of the Ban

The CNPD imposed a 90-day ban on Worldcoin collecting iris, eye, and facial biometrics. The commission cited several reasons for the decision:

  • Worldcoin allegedly has no age verification, enabling minors to register without parental consent.
  • Users weren’t given enough information and can’t delete data or revoke consent.
  • Biometric data and minors have special protections under GDPR.
  • Other potential GDPR violations.

CNPD president Paula Meira Lourenço called the ban “indispensable and justified” to protect rights.

Worldcoin Denies Wrongdoing

According to Reuters, Worldcoin denies any wrongdoing and claims it doesn’t allow minors to register. Worldcoin’s data protection officer Jannick Preiwisch said the project is “fully compliant with all laws and regulations” where it operates.

Preiwisch said Worldcoin was unaware of CNPD’s concerns. He emphasized Worldcoin’s zero tolerance policy for minor registration. The project is also addressing the reports.

Worldcoin recently introduced a Personal Custody model to give users more control over their data. This change coincided with open-sourcing the Orb software.

Spain Also Banned Worldcoin

Spain banned Worldcoin data collection for three months on March 6 over identical concerns. Regulators in other countries have also voiced worries, with Kenya calling the collection “espionage.”

Conclusion

The Worldcoin project faces growing regulatory scrutiny over its biometric data gathering practices. It remains to be seen whether the bans in Portugal and Spain are just the beginning of wider restrictions. For now, Worldcoin maintains it is following laws and addressing issues through measures like Personal Custody. The coming months will test if that is enough to satisfy skeptical regulators.

Disclaimer: BlockNews provides independent reporting on crypto, blockchain, and digital finance. All content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Readers should do their own research before making investment decisions. Some articles may use AI tools to assist in drafting, but every piece is reviewed and edited by our editorial team of experienced crypto writers and analysts before publication.
Tags: Jannick PreiwischNational Data Protection CommissionPortugalWorldcoin
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Michael Juanico

Michael Juanico

Michael is a BSBA Management graduate from Mindanao State University and has been a professional content writer since 2019. He began exploring cryptocurrency in 2021 and has since made blockchain and digital assets his primary focus. For nearly four years, Michael has contributed research and editorial content at Aiur Labs and BlockNews, producing clear and accessible coverage of market trends, trading strategies, and project developments. He is transparent about his personal holdings in Bitcoin, TRON, and select meme tokens, combining writing expertise with hands-on market experience to deliver trustworthy insights to readers.

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