Because of its method of iris-scanning activities to verify if its user is a true human and not a bot, blockchain project World (formerly Worldcoin) is currently facing privacy concerns.
Worldcoin Update in Manila
And now, World’s iris-scanning verification process is already in the country, with an official rollout in the National Capital Region.
For the record, even some in the #CryptoPH community are not in favor of scanning an iris in exchange for cryptocurrencies, specifically World’s native token $WLD.
This can be seen in the comment section on BitPinas’ post on Facebook that a World Orb is now in San Juan City, Metro Manila.
These concerns are not just within the crypto community around the world, as even some national governments have taken action on these privacy and ethical concerns regarding World.
With this, here are the countries that either investigated World, banned the blockchain project, asked World to stop its operations in their countries, or instructed the project to delete the data of their users in that country.
List of Countries That Banned, Investigated, or Looked Into Worldcoin Investigations
Spain
In December 2024, Spain’s Agencia Española de Protección de Datos (AEPD), or the Spanish Data Protection Agency, a data protection watchdog in the country, asked World to delete the biometric data of Spanish users.
It was after AEPD’s investigation earlier that year found that World had violated the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation.
The ban even reached Spain’s High Court, according to Reuters, which later upheld a temporary ban on World’s iris-scanning verification in the country.
In a March 2024 decision, the court emphasized that “safeguarding of the public interest” is a priority in the country. The decision was made because the World team asked the High Court to lift the ban while the case was ongoing.
Hong Kong
In May 2024, Hong Kong’s Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) ordered World to stop its operations in the country for violating its Personal Data Privacy Ordinance.
It was after, between December 2023 and January 2024, the privacy regulator visited six iris-scanning activity areas to identify if the verification process posed serious risks to citizens’ personal data privacy and violated the requirements of the PCPD.
According to the regulator, World admitted that it had already scanned the eyes and faces of 8,302 Hongkongers. PCPD also explained in a statement that the web3 project’s verification process is unnecessary and excessive.
“The Privacy Commissioner has served an enforcement notice on Worldcoin Foundation, directing it to cease all operations of the Worldcoin project in Hong Kong in scanning and collecting iris and face images of members of the public using iris scanning devices. If members of the public notices that Worldcoin is still operating at any premises with the iris scanning devices in Hong Kong, please report the matter immediately to the PCPD.”
Hong Kong’s Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data
Germany
In December 2024, the Bavarian State Office for Data Protection Supervision (BayLDA), which is the data protection authority of Germany, issued an initial order for corrective measures on handling biometric data.
Similar to Spain, Germany also looked at whether World complied with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation.
Months before the announcement, in May, World confirmed shutting down its previous system and the deletion of all stored data of German users.
Brazil
In January 2025, the National Data Protection Authority of Brazil told World developer Tools for Humanity to stop its operations in the country starting Jan. 25.
It was after its investigation, which started in November 2024, found that World had violated Brazil’s General Data Protection Law, which emphasizes the need for explicit consent, transparency and data minimization in handling personal information.
Colombia
In August 2024, the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce of Colombia, the competition regulator in the country, warned its citizens to “be careful” about joining World’s iris-scanning verification activities.
It was after World brought Orbs to the country in May that year.
In the same statement, the regulator said that it would investigate if there is a violation of Colombia’s personal data protection regime in the collection of sensitive personal data in relation to the implementation of personal data processing policies and privacy notices.
However, there is still no update about the investigation as of this writing.
India
In December 2023, World announced that it would “temporarily scale back” its offline Orb verification function for users in India.
It was because, according to Tools for Humanity, the World team struggled to meet the surge of people who wanted to verify their World ID and earn $WLD.
However, there are reports from Indian crypto startup founders that World allegedly faced regulatory pressure from the national government.
South Korea
In February 2024, the Personal Information Protection Commission of South Korea announced that it had launched an investigation after receiving a complaint regarding the collection and processing of personal information by World.
In a statement, the regulator said that it found 10 locations that hosted the iris-scanning verification process in the country.
“The Personal Information Commission plans to conduct an investigation into the collection and processing of sensitive information in general and the overseas transfer of personal information under the Personal Information Protection Act, and take measures in accordance with relevant laws and regulations if violations are identified.”
Personal Information Protection Commission
Kenya
In August 2023, the national government of Kenya imposed a ban on all operations of World in the country.
However, in March 2024, Cabinet Secretary of Interior and Administration of National Government Kithure Kindiki revealed that the U.S. had been pressuring them to lift the ban.
Kindiki then clarified that the ban would remain in effect until the safety and integrity of World’s activities were assured.
“The government has suspended forthwith activities of WorldCoin and any other entity that may be similarly engaging the people of Kenya until relevant public agencies certify the absence of any risks to the general public whatsoever.”
Kithure Kindiki, Cabinet Secretary, Interior and Administration of National Government
This article is published on BitPinas: LIST: Countries That Investigated, Banned, or Instructed Worldcoin on Its Operations
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