Worldcoin: Legal Operations Amidst Spanish Ban

Worldcoin, a global digital identity and cryptocurrency project, has released a blog post addressing concerns regarding its operations and compliance, particularly in Spain. The post, titled “Essential facts about Worldcoin,” emphasizes that the project operates within the bounds of the law and strives to comply with all relevant regulations related to data collection and transfer. Worldcoin highlights its adherence to major data protection frameworks such as Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation and Argentina’s Personal Data Protection Act.

One key point mentioned in the blog post is that Worldcoin does not permit minors to join its platform. Users must confirm their age to be over 18 years old through the World App before proceeding. The Worldcoin Foundation, alongside its contributor Tools for Humanity, asserts that it has never and will never sell any personal data, including biometric data.

To address concerns about data security, Worldcoin emphasizes that its World ID and World App are fully self-custodial. This means that only the owner has access to personal information like their name, email address, and phone number. The hardware employed by Worldcoin’s Orb, a device used for verification, includes advanced security measures to prevent unauthorized access.

The blog post comes amidst uncertainty surrounding Worldcoin’s operations in Spain. In early March, the Spanish Agency for the Protection of Data issued a temporary ban on Worldcoin’s data collection and processing activities. The company attempted to challenge this ban in court but was unsuccessful. The court declined its injunction against the data regulator.

Worldcoin, founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, aims to provide digital identification and ownership to individuals worldwide through its open-source protocol. Since its launch in July 2023, the project has faced regulatory challenges related to data privacy and protection. For instance, it was banned in Kenya in August 2023, prompting the government to halt all local Worldcoin activities, including biometric identification. Worldcoin has stated that it is currently working with the Kenyan government to resume operations in 2024.