Worldcoin Under Fire as EU Demands Data Cleanup by January

• Worldcoin, now rebranded as “World,” faces EU demands to delete iris-scanning data by January 19, 2025, citing privacy violations.
• Bavaria’s watchdog and Spain’s regulator require Worldcoin to ensure compliance with GDPR over its iris-scanning “Orb” initiative.

Worldcoin, which has rebranded as “World,” is under increasing investigation from European regulatory organizations because of its controversial iris-scanning effort. Under direction from Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, the project aims to destroy biometric data gathered via its “Orb” devices.

This decree, issued by Bavaria’s data protection watchdog (BayLDA) and supported by similar orders from Spain’s Data Protection Agency (AEPD), mandates stringent European privacy compliance by January 19, 2025. Once vital to Worldcoin’s identity-verification mechanism, the gathered iris-scan data now drives most of these legislative conflicts.

In accordance with the EU’s GDPR, the Bavarian Data Protection Authority has demanded that Worldcoin (rebranded as World Network) create a process for users to delete their data.

This policy would grant World ID users the right to erase their biometric information.… pic.twitter.com/HTmBaBqYZM

— GN Crypto (@GNcrypto_news) December 20, 2024

Worldcoin Biometric Data Strategy Faces Privacy Challenges 

From its start, the project’s goal to build a worldwide identity network utilizing biometric data has been divisive. Seeking to establish each user’s individuality and thereby reduce identity fraud, Worldcoin provides cryptocurrency and a digital ID in return by scanning individuals’s irises.

This audacious strategy, however, has generated serious privacy questions. European authorities contend that the project breaches the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), pointing out the possible abuse of private information and the insufficient user consent systems.

To further improve the network’s performance, CNF previously revealed that Worldcoin brought gas subsidies backed by bots and institutional user fees, hence adding to the complexity. These developments have done little to allay the fundamental concerns about privacy and data security, even while they seek to solve scalability and cost efficiency.

Problems with Worldcoin transcend Germany and Spain. With possible consequences for data-intensive projects, the larger European Union is closely watching the project. The rigorous application of GDPR rules highlights the area’s dedication to protecting personal data, especially as digital developments challenge accepted privacy standards.

Worldcoin stays true to its vision in the face of criticism. The company claims that in a world going more and more digital, its technology presents unmatched chances for identity verification. Still, juggling this aim with legal restrictions and public confidence will prove difficult.

Meanwhile, as of writing, the Worldcoin native token, WLD, is swapped hands at about $2.39, up 18.90% over the last 24 hours and driving its market cap above the $1.91 million mark.