German Regulators Target World App
Actions by Germany’s BayLDA against the decentralized identification project World, co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, reveal the state’s push to monopolize the collection and storage of personal data, particularly sensitive biometric information.
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Actions by Germany's BayLDA against the decentralized identification project World, co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, reveal the state’s push to monopolize the collection and storage of personal data, particularly sensitive biometric information.
The Bavarian State Office for Data Protection Supervision (BayLDA) has ordered World Network (formerly Worldcoin) to introduce a GDPR-compliant data deletion protocol by January 2025.
The official justification for BayLDA’s actions is the protection of citizens' privacy rights. However, a deeper analysis suggests the underlying motive may be the state’s desire to monopolize control over the use and storage of biometric data.
The World platform offers a unique identification system called World ID, which uses specialized devices known as Orbs to scan users' irises. This system verifies that the user is a real person rather than a bot. However, this innovative technology has sparked significant concerns among regulators. BayLDA has expressed worries about the “fundamental data protection risks” associated with handling such sensitive information.
While World has implemented measures to safeguard privacy—such as employing cryptographic protocols to anonymize data—these efforts have not satisfied regulators.
BayLDA is demanding the deletion of previously collected data and explicit consent for every stage of data processing. These requirements effectively impose state control over the company’s operations in this domain.
Sam Altman presenting the Orb device. Source: biometricupdate
This conflict underscores the tension between private digital identification initiatives and the state’s desire for centralized control over personal data. Sam Altman has already faced regulatory warnings in several countries. South Korea imposed a $829,000 fine, France demanded full access to the protocol to investigate potential abuses, and Kenyan authorities denounced World’s iris scanning technology as espionage and a threat to national sovereignty.
World Network has also suspended its operations in Brazil, Argentina, and India. Furthermore, the platform is grappling with a shortage of Orb devices necessary for biometric verification.
This dispute between Worldcoin and the German regulator goes beyond mere data protection issues. It highlights a broader battle for control over information in the digital age, where governments strive to retain their traditional role as monopolists in managing personal data.
Related: Worldcoin: A Gas-Free Crypto Wallet
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