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Things aren't going to plan for Sam Altman's Worldcoin

Worldcoin's Orb is OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's side project.
  • Sam Altman's Worldcoin cryptocurrency project has come under scrutiny in multiple jurisdictions.
  • The technology requires users to scan their eyeballs.
  • The project's eye-scanning orb is aimed at verifying users for the project.

Sam Altman's futuristic Worldcoin project is facing government scrutiny around the world.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the project's operations have come under scrutiny in more than a dozen jurisdictions.

In March, Spanish data protection regulator AEPD temporarily ordered Worldcoin to cease collecting personal information in the country.

At the time, the regulator called the move "precautionary measures" to "prevent the possible transfer of data to third parties and to safeguard the fundamental right to the protection of personal data."

In response to the ban, Worldcoin accused the regulator of "spreading inaccurate and misleading claims about our technology."

"It is unfortunate that the Spanish data protection authority (AEPD) is circumventing established procedures under GDPR with their actions today, which are limited to Spain and not the broader EU," Jannick Preiwisch, the data protection officer at the Worldcoin Foundation, told Business Insider at the time.

Since its rollout began, the project has faced challenges and was briefly subjected to a similar ban in Kenya. Last year, the Kenyan government ordered Worldcoin to stop signing up new users, citing data privacy concerns.

The project has also hit stumbling blocks in Hong Kong, Portugal, and Germany.

In May, Worldcoin was forced to cease all operations in Hong Kong. Regulators cited a risk to privacy and personal data, calling the data collection "unnecessary and excessive."

The German state of Bavaria is leading the EU's Worldcoin investigation. A decision on wether Worldcoin can keep operating in Europe is expected in the coming weeks.

The futuristic tech has raised eyebrows over the requirement for users to scan their eyeballs with a large silver orb. The scan is used to verify users for the cryptocurrency project, aiming at "distinguishing humans from AI online while preserving privacy."

Worldcoin grants verified users a digital identity known as a World ID.

The futuristic project requires users to scan their eyeballs with a large silver orb.

For Altman, the project offers a vital means of allowing users to provide "proof of personhood" online amid the rise of AI-generated content.

Altman and fellow cofounder Alex Blania also say the project could "drastically increase economic opportunity" if successful.

However, regulators have cited privacy concerns, worries about Worldcoin scanning children, and questioned how the company handles user data.

Worldcoin has continually tried to assure users that biometric information remains on the orb and is deleted once uploaded.

The company also has public perception issues, with some users labeling the Orbs "dystopian" and "creepy."

While the project has noble aims, with Altman stating that Worldcoin aims to usher in a universal basic income, users, and governments worldwide still appear hesitant.

Worldcoin did not respond to a request for comment from BI.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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