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Portugal Bans Worldcoin from Collecting Biometric Data
Portugal’s National Data Protection Commission (CNPD) made a significant announcement on March 26, declaring that it will prohibit Worldcoin from gathering biometric data for a duration of three months. This decision comes following concerns raised by the CNPD regarding the collection and handling of sensitive biometric data by Worldcoin.
Reasons for the Ban
The CNPD outlined several reasons for imposing the ban on Worldcoin’s biometric data collection activities. Firstly, the commission highlighted the lack of a robust mechanism for verifying the age of Worldcoin members, leading to the unauthorized collection of data from minors without parental consent. Moreover, Worldcoin reportedly failed to adequately inform users about their rights, making it challenging for individuals to delete their data or withdraw consent.
Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), stringent protections are provided for both biometric data and minors. The CNPD emphasized that Worldcoin’s practices raised multiple red flags in terms of GDPR compliance, justifying urgent regulatory intervention.
Response from Worldcoin
In response to the ban, Worldcoin has denied any wrongdoing and maintained that it adheres to all relevant laws and regulations in its operational jurisdictions. The Worldcoin Foundation’s data protection officer, Jannick Preiwisch, reiterated the project’s commitment to compliance and asserted that it had not been previously notified of the CNPD’s concerns.
Preiwisch also highlighted the recent implementation of a user-controlled “Personal Custody” model by Worldcoin, which empowers users to have greater control over their data. This move underscores Worldcoin’s dedication to enhancing data protection measures and transparency in its operations.
Global Scrutiny on Worldcoin
It is worth noting that Spain also imposed a three-month ban on Worldcoin’s data collection activities in early March for similar reasons. The use of biometric data by Worldcoin has triggered apprehension among regulators in various countries, with Kenya categorizing it as “espionage.”
The regulatory actions taken by Portugal and other nations underscore the growing focus on safeguarding user privacy and ensuring compliance with data protection laws, particularly in the context of emerging technologies and digital platforms.
Overall, the CNPD’s decision to ban Worldcoin from collecting biometric data serves as a pivotal development in the ongoing discourse surrounding data privacy, regulatory oversight, and the responsible use of personal information in the digital age.
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