Sam Altman
Dear reader,
OpenAI chief Sam Altman-led Worldcoin cryptocurrency project has faced significant backlash in Hong Kong for violating privacy laws.
The city’s Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) criticised Worldcoin for its “unnecessary and excessive” collection of biometric data, including iris and face scans, labelling the practice as invasive and unjustified. This data collection aims to provide users with a unique digital identity, known as a “World ID,” but the approach has raised serious privacy concerns globally.
The PCPD’s investigation revealed that over 8,000 individuals in Hong Kong had their biometric data collected, a process lacking sufficient transparency and informed consent. The privacy watchdog’s enforcement notice demands an immediate halt to these activities, emphasising the severe potential consequences of data breaches.
Worldcoin’s operations in other countries, including Spain, Portugal, and Kenya, have similarly been suspended over privacy issues.
Despite Worldcoin’s claims of encrypted and secure data handling, the PCPD condemned the project’s prolonged data retention plans and highlighted the legal repercussions of non-compliance with their enforcement notice, which could include hefty fines and imprisonment.
This controversy underscores the critical importance of stringent data protection standards in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Sainul,
Editor.
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NEWS & ANALYSIS
Sam Altman’s crypto project halted in HK over privacy concerns
The Worldcoin cryptocurrency project, set up by the OpenAI chief, breached Hong Kong’s privacy laws by demanding “unnecessary and excessive” scans of users’ eyes and faces, the city’s privacy watchdog said Wednesday.
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Ray Dalio purchases two shophouses in Singapore for US$18.9M
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