• France’s privacy watchdog is reportedly examining legal issues around the recently launched Worldcoin (WLD) and its biometric data collection.
• Worldcoin users have to scan their irises to get a World ID and crypto token WLD.
• The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office has also announced it was looking into Worldcoin.
France’s Privacy Watchdog Questions Worldcoin’s Data Collection
France’s privacy watchdog, the Commission nationale de l’informatique et des libertés (CNIL), is reportedly examining legal issues around the newly-launched crypto project, Worldcoin (WLD). This comes after the launch of WLD on Monday, where users are required to scan their irises in order to obtain a World ID and free cryptocurrency token.
Biometric Data Collection Questioned
Since its launch, CNIL has indicated that it has questions over the biometric data collection requirement from users in France. Meanwhile, The Information Commissioner’s Office of the United Kingdom has likewise announced that it will be looking into WLD as well.
Increased Sign Ups since Launch
Data shows that since its launch on Monday, there has been an increased number of sign ups for proof of personhood with one unique user scanning their eyeballs for the World ID every 7.6 seconds. Records are being set daily for this verification process.
France Investigates Legal Issues
The action taken by France comes days after The Information Commissioner’s Office in UK announced that they were looking into WLD as well. This prompted France to open investigations on whether or not there are any legal issues related to WLD’s data collection process .
Conclusion
Overall, both France and UK have expressed concerns over how WLD collects biometric data from users signing up for a “proof of personhood” process which grants access to a digital ID and free cryptocurrency tokens in countries where regulation allows it.