Hong Kong's PCPD Probes Worldcoin Over Privacy Concerns Amid Iris-Scanning Controversy
Summary:
The Personal Data Privacy Commissioner's Office (PCPD) in Hong Kong has initiated an investigation into Worldcoin's operations over concerns of personal data privacy threats. The focus is on Worldcoin's identity verification approach, which involves iris-scanning. The PCPD is examining whether the project's data collection aligns with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance requirements. Worldcoin, which started in 2021 and officially launched in July 2023, has experienced regulatory scrutiny in various countries over privacy issues, with services suspended in Kenya and iris scans paused in India.
The Personal Data Privacy Commissioner's Office (PCPD) in Hong Kong has initiated an inquiry into Worldcoin's local operations, voicing concerns over serious personal data privacy threats. On January 31, the PCPD disclosed that it had issued warrants and accessed six Worldcoin-operated buildings in Hong Kong, as part of its probing into the entity's activities.
The commission pursued pertinent documents and details and advised Hong Kong dwellers to think about the possible usage of their biometric data—Worldcoin uses orbs that scan irises for user identification confirmation. The PCPD expressed apprehensions over Worldcoin's operations in Hong Kong posing serious threats to personal data privacy, suspecting that their information gathering and processing practices may not align with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance requirements.
As per the PCPD, any user data that Worldcoin possesses must be collected for a valid purpose that aligns with the project's objective or activity. As per the regulations, the information secured from users' irises is considered highly confidential.
Worldcoin was launched in 2021, with over two million individuals registering before the official initiation in July 2023. The project has invoked the scrutiny of regulators from multiple nations due to privacy issues, causing the suspension of its services in Kenya and halting iris scans in India.
Worldcoin stated that as of December 2023, more than five million individuals had established accounts using their identities. Cointelegraph's attempt to seek comments from Worldcoin regarding the matter has not been responded to yet.
Published At
1/31/2024 7:00:51 PM
Disclaimer: Algoine does not endorse any content or product on this page. Readers should conduct their own research before taking any actions related to the asset, company, or any information in this article and assume full responsibility for their decisions. This article should not be considered as investment advice. Our news is prepared with AI support.
Do you suspect this content may be misleading, incomplete, or inappropriate in any way, requiring modification or removal?
We appreciate your report.