Argentine agency opens investigation into Worldcoin over biometric data

Argentina’s Agency for Access to Public Information (AAIP) has joined the list of government entities investigating the Worldcoin cryptocurrency project, which has also attracted attention from authorities in Germany, France, and Kenya.

The AAIP in Argentina, in an announcement on August 8th, revealed that it has initiated an investigation into Worldcoin’s practices related to the collection, storage, and utilization of customer data. The purpose of this investigation is to ensure that Worldcoin adheres to security and privacy regulations. Worldcoin, which introduced its token initiative in July, aims to authenticate users through retinal scans, sparking concerns among many individuals about their privacy.

The AAIP emphasized that individuals have the right to receive clear and accessible information when submitting personal data. This includes details about how the data is collected, used, and the intended purpose, especially when dealing with sensitive information like biometric data.

Before the token launch in July, over 2 million accounts had signed up for Worldcoin. However, subsequent to the distribution of retinal scanners, the Bavarian State Office for Data Protection Supervision in Germany initiated an investigation into privacy issues. Similarly, the French National Commission on Informatics and Liberty criticized the project’s data collection methods as questionable.

In Kenya, the Minister of Internal Security declared a suspension of Worldcoin’s local operations on August 2nd, pending an assessment of potential risks to residents. On August 7th, local news sources reported a police raid on a Worldcoin property, where equipment potentially containing user data was seized.

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