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Spain's High Court Upholds Temporary Ban on Worldcoin Iris-Scanning Venture

Spain's High Court supports a temporary ban on Worldcoin's iris-scanning, emphasizing concerns over privacy and potential implications of the controversial project.

Global News
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11, Mar, 2024

Jivika Chawla

@JivikaChawla

Spain's High Court Upholds Temporary Ban on Worldcoin Iris-Scanning Venture

Spain's High Court affirmed a temporary ban on Worldcoin's iris-scanning project on Monday, dealing another setback to the initiative that has raised privacy concerns globally. The court emphasized the importance of safeguarding the public interest and rejected an appeal made by Worldcoin's owners.

Founded in 2019 by Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, Worldcoin's ambitious goal is to establish a global identity system. The concept involves individuals having their irises scanned in return for receiving free cryptocurrency and a digital ID. However, the project faced a setback last Wednesday when Spain's privacy watchdog imposed a temporary ban in response to various concerns.

The ban followed complaints about inadequate information disclosure, data collection from minors, and the inability to withdraw consent. Spain's privacy watchdog, recognizing the special protection afforded to biometric data under the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation, cited the high risks associated with processing such sensitive information, emphasizing the need to protect people's rights.

In response to the ban, the watchdog instructed Worldcoin to cease the collection of personal information and discontinue the use of data already gathered. The decision by Spain's High Court to uphold the ban underscores the importance of adhering to privacy regulations and the potential risks associated with biometric data processing.

Worldcoin's innovative approach, which incentivizes individuals to share biometric information for cryptocurrency and digital identity, has faced criticism for potential privacy breaches and regulatory non-compliance. The court's ruling reflects a growing emphasis on protecting individuals' rights and ensuring compliance with data protection laws, particularly in the realm of sensitive biometric data.

As the project navigates these legal challenges, it highlights the evolving landscape and scrutiny surrounding emerging technologies that intersect with personal data and privacy concerns, prompting a careful balance between innovation and regulatory compliance.