Worldcoin's Biometrics Halt: Portuguese Watchdog Slams Brakes on Iris Scanning Project

Portugal's data regulator, CNPD, has ordered Worldcoin to suspend biometric data collection for 90 days due to concerns over privacy breaches and risks to citizens' data protection rights. The move follows complaints regarding unauthorized data collection from minors, challenges in data deletion, and withdrawal of consent. Worldcoin maintains compliance but acknowledges the need to address these issues, while the suspension allows for further investigation and analysis of complaints.

Has Worldcoin's Biometric Data Collection Hit a Roadblock in Portugal?

The head honchos at Portugal's data watchdog agency, known as the CNPD, have dropped a bombshell on Worldcoin, the iris-scanning project founded by Sam Altman. They've issued a cease-and-desist order, putting a 90-day freeze on their biometric data collection activities.

What's Sparking the Regulator's Concerns?

The CNPD is worried sick about people's privacy getting trampled on by Worldcoin's scans. They're flagging serious risks to citizens' data protection rights, and they're not waiting around to see if things get worse.

Just How Big Is This Issue?

Well, consider this: over 300,000 folks in Portugal have already shared their peepers with Worldcoin. That's a whole lot of iris data out there! And it's not just that—complaints have been flying in left and right, from unauthorized child scanning to people struggling to delete their data or withdraw their consent.

Is Worldcoin Ignoring the Noise?

Not quite. They say they follow all the rules and regs, but they're listening to the complaints and want to fix this mess. They've got a guy named Yannick Preivish, their data protection officer, leading the charge on this.

Does This Stop Worldcoin Cold?

Nope, it's not a death sentence. But the CNPD's order puts a temporary kibosh on their data collection while they investigate what's going on. They're taking this seriously, folks!

Is Worldcoin Just a Portugal Problem?

Hardly. They're facing similar heat in other countries too. Privacy and data security are hot topics, and regulators aren't messing around.

Bottom Line:

As technology races onward, projects like Worldcoin that want to use biometrics have to tread carefully. They need to meet regulatory demands and ease people's privacy fears. Otherwise, they risk finding themselves in hot water like this.