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Worldcoin Developer Files Lawsuit to Challenge Spain Ban
Tools for Humanity, the developer of Worldcoin, has taken legal action to challenge Spain’s recent ban on the collection and use of its data within the country for a period of three months.
In a blog post dated March 6, Worldcoin stated that Spanish regulators had bypassed the usual procedures surrounding EU GDPR regulations by imposing the ban, forcing the company to resort to legal recourse.
Jannick Preiwisch, the data protection officer for Worldcoin Foundation and Tools for Humanity, refuted the claims made by Spanish authorities, asserting that the company complies fully with the data protection laws of the EU. He expressed dismay at the spread of inaccurate information about Worldcoin globally, following the company’s efforts to provide clarity on its technology.
“It is … unfortunate that [Spanish regulators] are spreading inaccurate and misleading claims about our technology globally after our efforts to provide them with an accurate view of Worldcoin and World ID have gone unanswered for months.”
Despite the ban in Spain, Worldcoin maintains that it operates lawfully in all other jurisdictions and operates under the scrutiny of local authorities. The company highlighted its ongoing cooperation with the Bavarian Data Protection Authority (BayLDA) in responding to GDPR requests and ensuring compliance with EU data protection regulations.
Spain’s Data Protection Agency (AEPD) imposed the temporary ban on Worldcoin following concerns raised by minors about data privacy and consent issues. Complaints also alleged inadequate disclosure of data protection measures, leading authorities to fear potential “irreparable damage” from Worldcoin’s practices.
The AEPD specifically cited the need for special protection of sensitive biometric data handled by Worldcoin, justifying the ban as a precautionary measure under extraordinary circumstances.
The ban targets Tools for Humanity, the co-founding organization led by Sam Altman that created the open-source Worldcoin project. While Worldcoin Foundation is identified as the overseer of Worldcoin on its main page, Tools for Humanity serves as the advisors and operators of the Worldcoin app, making the legal battle directly relevant to the entire Worldcoin ecosystem.
The legal action taken by Worldcoin against Spain’s ban signals the company’s commitment to defending its operations and technology in the face of regulatory challenges.
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