Brazil Bans Worldcoin from Giving Crypto to Users Scanning Their Iris

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On January 24, the Brazilian National Data Protection Agency (ANPD) ordered Tools for Humanity (TFH), the company behind Worldcoin, to cease providing Brazilian users with cryptocurrency or other financial rewards in exchange for their iris biometric data.

This ban, issued on January 25, comes after ANPD’s investigation, which found that using cryptocurrency incentives could potentially impact users’ voluntary consent for sensitive biometric data, especially among vulnerable populations.

According to Brazilian law, consent for processing sensitive personal data must be given freely, with full awareness and understanding.

The ANPD also raised concerns about the potential risks of collecting irreversible iris data. Worldcoin, co-founded in 2019 by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, aimed to create a global digital identity and financial network by scanning irises.

However, the project has faced regulatory scrutiny in Germany due to privacy concerns.

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