- The Hong Kong Privacy Commissioner recently executed court warrants on six Worldcoin premises
- The raids were due to a potential misuse of biometric data collected by the company
- The move follows similar concerns in India, Brazil, and France
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) in Hong Kong yesterday executed court warrants to enter six Worldcoin premises over concerns related to the collection of biometric data. The investigation focuses on the potential misuse of personal data, specifically biometric data collected by Worldcoin in exchange for the WLD cryptocurrency. The move follows concerns over personal data collection in other regions, including India, Brazil, and France.
PCPD Concerned Over Data Privacy
The PCPD’s concerns over Worldcoin’s activities in Hong Kong center around its data collection practices, chiefly whether they comply with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO) and whether the company is in contravention of regulatory requirements regarding data collection and storage:
The PCPD is concerned that the operation of Worldcoin in Hong Kong involves serious risks to personal data privacy, and believes that the collection and processing of sensitive personal data by the relevant organisation may be in contravention of the requirements of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO).
The PCPD emphasized the sensitivity of biometric data in its warrant application due to its unique and unalterable nature and urged the public to carefully consider the necessity, purpose, and retention period of biometric data collection before participating in such activities.
Worldcoin Faced Issues in Other Countries
The PDPO mandates that organizations collect personal data for lawful purposes and secure the data against unauthorized or accidental access, also restricting the use of personal data for new purposes without explicit consent. The PCPD has asked that the public submit complaints and information regarding Worldcoin’s data practices to them, suggesting that it believes contravention of the ordinance is afoot.
Tools for Humanity told FullyCrypto that it is working within the guidelines set by regulators:
Worldcoin was established to help create access and participation in the global digital economy while preserving privacy. Worldcoin does not seek to know who a person is, just that they are human and unique. As such, any information used to verify unique humanness is promptly deleted by default.
Worldcoin welcomes regulators, including the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD), and consumers to inquire and seek information or clarifications about its programs available to the people in their communities, cities, countries or regions.
The Worldcoin Foundation is committed to full compliance with all relevant laws and regulations governing the processing of personal data in the markets where Worldcoin operates. This includes, but is not limited to, The Hong Kong Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance.
Worldcoin was forced to temporarily halt onboarding in multiple countries including Brazil, France, and Kenya over data protection concerns, an issue which is turning into a theme now for Worldcoin and its operator Tools for Humanity, regardless of its claims to be working within the rules.
