• Argentine agency has opened an investigation into Worldcoin for its biometric data collection.
• Reports suggest that other governments like Germany, France and Kenya have also probed the project due to privacy concerns.
• On August 7th, Kenyan police raided a Worldcoin property and seized equipment which may contain user data.
Argentina Opens Investigation into Worldcoin
The Agency for Access to Public Information in Argentina has launched an investigation into cryptocurrency project Worldcoin over its collection, storage and use of customer data. This is to ensure that it complies with security and privacy regulations laid out by the government. Moreover, other countries such as Germany, France, and Kenya have also probed the project due to privacy concerns.
Project Background
Worldcoin (WLD) was launched in July with the goal of verifying users through retinal scans; however, this raised several issues regarding personal privacy. More than two million accounts had signed up for the token launch before reports suggested German Bavarian State Office for Data Protection Supervision had announced an investigation over these issues. Furthermore, French National Commission on Informatics and Liberty characterized these data collection methods as “questionable”.
Kenya Suspends Local Operations
On August 2nd, Kenya’s minister of internal security announced that they would suspend local operations until authorities could assess any potential risks to citizens posed by the project. Subsequently, on August 7th Kenyan police raided a Worldcoin property seizing equipment that may have contained user data.
AAIP’s Statement
In response to this situation AAIP said “Citizens have the right whenever personal data is provided to have clear and accessible information in relation to the assignment, use and purpose for which the data is collected and processed especially with regard to sensitive data such as biometric data” . The agency aims at ensuring safety regulations are followed in order protect citizens’ rights regarding their personal information when using digital services like Worldcoin’s token launch platform .
Conclusion
Overall it remains unclear what will come from this investigation but both parties seem committed to getting a proper resolution so that customers can rest assured knowing their information is safe when using blockchain technology-based platforms like Worldcoin’s token launch platform .