Worldcoin must cease operations in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is shutting down the utopian crypto project because of data protection concerns. Authorities in Germany are also investigating Worldcoin.

Worldcoin allegedly violated data protection rules. At least, so says an investigation by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) in Hong Kong. In an announcement yesterday, May 22, a restraining order was therefore issued against the crypto project. Worldcoin must immediately cease all project activities in Hong Kong involving the use of iris scanners (Orbs).

Worldcoin uses the so-called Orb to scan the eyes. In return, the user receives a World ID and the cryptocurrency WLD. Germany's state data protection supervisory agency (LDA) is also investigating whether Worldcoin violates data protection rules in Germany.

"In particular, we investigate processing, compliance with data subjects' rights and data security. Our investigations are ongoing", the LDA stated upon request.

ChatGPT creator Sam Altman founded the crypto project with Alex Blania in 2019. Worldcoin aims to make it easier to distinguish between humans and machines in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). Worldcoin has been available in Europe since June 29, 2023.