The Agency for Access to Public Information (AAIP), the data comptroller in the country, to investigate Worldcoin for the processing of personal data. AAIP will examine Worldcoin, the biometric data and wallet project, and its data procedures.
On August 7, the government of Argentina sent a letter to the Worldcoin Foundation requesting information about how the user’s data will be treated and how the company is applying all the steps for the security and privacy of the data.
As per the agency, the case has gained notoriety in recent weeks due to the practice of scanning the faces and irises of numerous individuals in exchange for monetary compensation at various locations in Buenos Aires City and the provinces of Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Mendoza, and Black river.
Every company like Worldcon must register with the AAIP, provide information about its data processing policy, and mention the reason for the sensitive data and how long the processing time is under the provisions of the Personal Data Protection Law.
In addition, the agency wants information regarding the security and confidentiality measures executed to protect sensitive data.
“Citizens have the right, whenever personal data is provided, to have clear and accessible information in relation to the assignment, use, and purpose for which the data is collected and processed, especially with regard to sensitive data, such as biometric data,” said the AAIP.
The enforcement action by AAIP will strengthen the current legal framework to protect personal data, as many countries like Germany, France, and Kenya are investigating Worldcoin.
However, Worldcoin was designed to protect individual privacy and has built a robust privacy program. According to Worldcoin Foundation, “The project complies with all laws and regulations governing the processing of personal data in the markets where Worldcoin is available, including but not limited to Argentina’s Personal Data Protection Act 25.326 (Ley de Protección de los Datos Personales).”
The project will continue to cooperate with governing and regulatory bodies on requests for more information about its privacy and data protection practices. Worldcoin is working globally to ensure that the project meets regulatory requirements and provides a safe, secure, and transparent service for verified humans.
“Individuals don’t need to enter any personal information to get or use World App, the first wallet built for the Worldcoin project. This means no name, no phone number, no email, no social profile, no selfie, no passport. When an individual chooses to verify their proof of personhood, by default, the Orb promptly deletes iris images after the creation of the iris code,” says Worldcoin Foundation.
