France's privacy watchdog, CNIL, has expressed apprehensions regarding the legality of Worldcoin's biometric data collection practices. Worldcoin, a project founded by Sam Altman, requires users to submit their iris scans to obtain a digital ID and, in some countries, receive free cryptocurrency. Although the project boasts of signing up 2.1 million people during a two-year trial, its data collection methods have come under scrutiny.
Worldcoin has established sign-up sites globally, where individuals can have their faces scanned by a shiny spherical "orb." The UK's data regulator has also revealed plans to investigate Worldcoin following its recent launch.
In response to an inquiry from Reuters, CNIL voiced doubts about the data collection's legality and the conditions for storing biometric data. The watchdog clarified that the investigation into Worldcoin falls under the jurisdiction of the Bavarian state authority in Germany. Consequently, the Bavarian authority is leading the investigation, with CNIL providing support.
The Worldcoin Foundation, which oversees the project and operates from the Cayman Islands, has defended its practices. It asserted that it complies with all relevant laws and regulations governing personal data processing. The project is supervised within the European Union by the Bavarian State Office for Data Protection Supervision, and the Worldcoin Foundation assured its commitment to cooperating with governing bodies on data protection matters.
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