The crypto project launched by OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Worldcoin, is being investigated by French data protection regulator CNIL for “questionable” practices, the regulator told CoinDesk.
Worldcoin, launched on Monday, requires users to provide iris scans for a digital ID and even free cryptocurrency in some countries.
The project claims that these World IDs will be crucial as artificial intelligence becomes more influential, and allow humans to prove they aren’t robots.
A CNIL spokesperson said in a statement, “The legality of this collection seems questionable, as do the conditions for storing biometric data.”
The project is also under investigation in the U.K. for similar reasons.
“The Worldcoin Foundation complies with all laws and regulations governing the processing of personal data in the markets where Worldcoin is available, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).”
CNIL officials said in an e-mail that the agency began an investigation and is now coordinating with the Bavarian state authority in Germany.
“Data breaches happen all the time, and people get hurt,” said author Pete Howson. “But when biometric data gets leaked, especially in the poor countries where Worldcoin’s been operating, people’s lives are on the line.”
“The project will continue to cooperate with governing bodies on requests for more information about its privacy and data protection practices,” the Worldcoin Foundation said in a statement.
