Key Points
In a significant move, Spain has imposed a three-month ban on Worldcoin, a venture led by Sam Altman, citing privacy risks associated with its unique approach to digital identification..
The company, known for its "orb" devices that scan users' irises in exchange for a digital ID and free cryptocurrency, has faced criticism globally for its data collection practices..
The Spanish data protection regulator, AEPD, issued the ban on Wednesday, demanding an immediate halt to the collection of personal information by Worldcoin and instructing the company to cease using already gathered data..
Jannick Preiwisch, Worldcoin's Data Protection Officer, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to help the AEPD understand the technology's essential and lawful aspects..
Portugal's data authority is collaborating with Bavaria to assess Worldcoin's GDPR compliance, while the UK Information Commissioner's Office emphasized the need for organizations to conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments and have a clear lawful basis for processing personal data..
