The CNPD Bans Worldcoin from Collecting Biometric Data

Portugal’s National Data Protection Commission (CNPD) recently made a decision to ban Worldcoin from collecting biometric data for a period of three months. This ban was imposed due to various reasons, including concerns about the lack of mechanisms for verifying the age of members and the collection of data from minors without parental consent. Additionally, Worldcoin failed to provide users with sufficient information on important matters, such as the ability to delete data or revoke consent, which raised red flags for the CNPD.

The CNPD’s decision to restrict Worldcoin’s collection of biometric data was also influenced by the company’s alleged violations of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). According to the CNPD, the GDPR includes specific protections for biometric data and minors, and Worldcoin’s actions were seen as a direct violation of these standards. The CNPD considered these violations serious enough to warrant urgent intervention against Worldcoin.

In response to the CNPD’s ban, Worldcoin has denied any wrongdoing and insisted that it is fully compliant with all relevant laws and regulations. The company’s data protection officer, Jannick Preiwisch, stated that Worldcoin does not allow minors to register through the ORB platform and that they have a strict policy against registrations by minors. Preiwisch also highlighted Worldcoin’s recent introduction of a user-controlled Personal Custody model, which gives users more control over their data.

It is worth noting that Spain also imposed a three-month ban on Worldcoin’s data collection activities for the same reasons as Portugal. This indicates that there may be widespread concerns about Worldcoin’s data collection practices across multiple countries in Europe.

The CNPD’s decision to ban Worldcoin from collecting biometric data highlights the importance of strict compliance with data protection regulations, especially when it comes to sensitive information such as biometric data and data belonging to minors. Worldcoin’s response to these allegations will be crucial in determining the company’s future and whether it can regain the trust of regulators and users alike.