Worldcoin, the global digital identity and cryptocurrency project, has recently addressed its operations and compliance in response to the increasing legal uncertainty in Spain. On March 18, Worldcoin published a blog post titled “Essential Facts about Worldcoin,” which provides essential information about its operations, rules, and regulations.
In the blog post, Worldcoin emphasized that it operates lawfully in all available locations and is fully compliant with all laws and regulations concerning data collection and transfer. The project adheres to major global data protection frameworks like Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation and Argentina’s Personal Data Protection Act, as mentioned in a more detailed post released in January.
Worldcoin highlighted that minors are not allowed to join the platform, and each user must confirm their age to be over 18 years old through the World App before verifying at an Orb. The Worldcoin Foundation and its contributor, Tools for Humanity, stated that they have never sold and will never sell any personal data, including biometric data.
Furthermore, Worldcoin emphasized that World ID and World App are fully self-custodial, ensuring that only the owner has access to personal information such as name, email address, phone number, and other data. The blog post also mentioned that the Orb’s hardware is equipped with advanced security features to protect data from unauthorized access.
The blog post comes in light of the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Worldcoin’s operations in Spain. In early March, the Spanish Agency for the Protection of Data ordered Worldcoin to cease collecting and processing data in the country, imposing a temporary ban on its operations. Unfortunately, the company failed to defend its operations in Spain, as a local court rejected its injunction against the data regulator.
Worldcoin, founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, is an open-source protocol that aims to enable digital identification and ownership for every individual on Earth. The project was officially launched in July 2023 but has faced regulatory challenges regarding data privacy and protection. In August 2023, Worldcoin was banned in Kenya, with the government suspending all local activities associated with the platform, including biometric identification. However, Worldcoin has expressed its commitment to working with the Kenyan government to resume operations in 2024.
In conclusion, Worldcoin has addressed its operations and compliance in response to legal uncertainties, emphasizing its commitment to operating lawfully and being fully compliant with data protection regulations. The project continues to work towards its goal of enabling digital identification and ownership for individuals worldwide, despite facing regulatory challenges in certain countries.