By Alex Omenye
Worldcoin’s German subsidiary, a key player in Sam Altman’s crypto blockchain digital identity venture, is reported to have initiated a legal challenge against a suspension order imposed by Spain’s data protection authority, the AEPD.
The AEPD recently directed Worldcoin to halt the scanning of individuals’ eyeballs and cease further processing of collected data, citing concerns about information disclosure, data collection from minors, and the inability to withdraw consent.
While Worldcoin operates under streamlined regulatory oversight via GDPR’s one-stop-shop mechanism, allowing the Bavarian DPA to be its lead authority, the AEPD can issue temporary orders within its market.
Despite this, Worldcoin is challenging the AEPD’s order, asserting full compliance with EU laws on biometrics, data transfer, processing, and protection.
The legal dispute follows controversies surrounding Worldcoin’s biometric data collection in exchange for payment, raising GDPR concerns about transparency, fairness, minors’ rights, and data security.
The BayLDA’s ongoing investigation is expected to present its findings to European data protection authorities soon. Catalonia, where Worldcoin operates prominently, has published warnings about the company’s biometric scanning, highlighting concerns about sensitive data and potential harm, while acknowledging ongoing GDPR investigations by several EU authorities.
