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The Personal Information Protection Committee (PIPC) of South Korea is initiating an investigation into Worldcoin’s handling of biometric data amid concerns about potential violations of local privacy laws. The PIPC confirmed that Worldcoin affiliates are actively collecting facial and iris recognition information at undisclosed locations in Korea.
The investigation will delve into the comprehensive process of collecting and managing sensitive information, including the overseas transfer of personal data, under the purview of the Personal Information Protection Act. Any violations discovered during the probe will result in appropriate consequences in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
Worldcoin has faced similar scrutiny in other countries where it deployed its mobile iris scanner, the Orb. Earlier this year, Hong Kong’s privacy commissioner conducted raids on Worldcoin’s offices, expressing concerns about data privacy laws. Kenya also raised objections to the collection of iris biometrics in exchange for free crypto tokens, leading to authorities raiding local Worldcoin offices in August 2023. As of now, Worldcoin has not been found guilty of legal or regulatory violations, though investigations, particularly in Hong Kong, remain ongoing.
Despite regulatory challenges, Worldcoin and its parent company, Tools for Humanity, are forging ahead. Operations in Kenya are poised to resume in 2024. Tools for Humanity recently acquired Ottr Finance, a digital wallet startup, to be integrated into its World App. Meanwhile, the Worldcoin Foundation, a non-profit entity based in the Cayman Islands, awarded the first grants through its Worldcoin Community Grants Program. The number of World ID enrollments continues to rise, nearing four million registered identities and iris scans, while the value of WLD, Worldcoin’s native cryptocurrency, is experiencing an upward trend.
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