Portuguese Data Regulator Bans Worldcoin for 90 Days

The Portuguese data regulator, the National Data Protection Commission (CNPD), has issued a decision to temporarily ban Worldcoin from collecting data for a period of 90 days. This decision was made due to the high risk of violating citizens' data protection rights. CNPD has ordered Worldcoin to cease data collection from users in the country, especially biometric data using their Orb devices, which scan eye irises.

This measure has been taken to safeguard the rights of Portuguese citizens, particularly minors, who are considered a particularly vulnerable group. The decision will be effective immediately and will remain in place until the conclusion of the investigation initiated by CNPD on March 8th.

Worldcoin, founded by Sam Altman, CEO and co-founder of OpenAI, operates by scanning eye irises using its Orb devices and then exchanging this data for digital IDs and its own cryptocurrency.

CNPD made this decision after receiving numerous complaints regarding data collection from minors without proper authorization from parents or legal authorities. CNPD President, Paula Meira Lourenço, described this measure as "necessary and justified" for effectively defending the public interest, especially the rights of minors.

The complaint has been addressed to the Worldcoin Foundation, responsible for the data collection initiative.

These issues arise following several complaints from regulators in different countries. For instance, the Kenyan government continues to uphold its ban on the project despite pressure from the United States to reconsider its stance. In Spain, legal authorities have also recommended that Worldcoin cease its operations in the country following complaints from local users regarding the inability to withdraw consent for data processing.

Despite these challenges, Worldcoin assures that it operates "lawfully in all locations where it is available" and has announced plans to release its software as open-source and introduce a new privacy feature to give users greater control over their data.