Hong Kong Initiates Investigation Into Worldcoin’s Alleged Unauthorized Gathering of Customer Iris Data
In Brief
Hong Kong's PCPD has executed searches at various Worldcoin outlets, alleging they have unlawfully gathered personal data from users.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) in Hong Kong has launched a probe into the cryptocurrency initiative, PCPD . In this regulatory action, they searched numerous Worldcoin sites located in districts such as Yau Ma Tei, Kwun Tong, Wan Chai, Cyberport, Central, and Causeway Bay, as authorized by legal warrants. The investigation primarily concerns the potential mishandling of private customer information. Worldcoin The PCPD has raised alarms about Worldcoin’s activities in Hong Kong, citing significant risks to personal data privacy. The manner in which organizations collect and manage such data could violate the Personal Data Privacy Ordinance, which has been in place since 1995 to safeguard individual privacy regarding personal data.
The Hong Kong Commissioner’s Office has advised the public to be prudent and avoid sharing sensitive information carelessly. They recommend that individuals scrutinize the legality of data collection practices by organizations, taking into account aspects such as the extent, purpose, usage, retention duration, and security measures related to the data.
"Worldcoin was founded to enhance accessibility and participation in the global digital economy while ensuring privacy. Our goal isn’t to identify individuals, but rather to confirm their humanity and uniqueness. Consequently, any data used to affirm one's uniqueness is deleted automatically by default,” a spokesperson from the Worldcoin Foundation shared with Metaverse Post.
"Worldcoin is open to regulatory bodies, including the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD), as well as the public, to ask about our community programs. The Worldcoin Foundation is dedicated to adhering to all relevant legal frameworks pertaining to personal data processing in the jurisdictions where we function, including the Hong Kong Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance.”
Even without any formal complaints to date, an investigation has been preemptively started, according to Lu Difan, Senior Personal Data Officer from the PCPD.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner has leveraged its authority under the Privacy Ordinance to inspect the six premises mentioned. This operation was carried out with a court-issued warrant to collect relevant documents and information required for the investigation.
Worldcoin’s Global Expansion Amidst Regulatory Examination
Worldcoin is not just a cryptocurrency; it’s also a digital identity initiative spearheaded by Tools for Humanity (TFH), co-founded by the CEO of OpenAI.
The project's chief aim is to address income disparity through its unique World ID feature, encapsulating a threefold mission: establishing a global unique digital identity, creating a universal currency (WLD token), and developing an application that supports payments, purchases, and transfers using its token along with other cryptocurrencies and traditional monetary forms. Sam Altman in 2023.
To validate individuals' authenticity, Worldcoin uses specialized devices called Orbs to scan irises and gather necessary data. The project claimed a user base of 3 million during its beta phase and is on a trajectory to broaden its reach.
Currently, however, the token lacks a clear practical application in the real world.
Regulators and privacy advocates around the world have voiced their concerns about the project. These worries stem from a perceived lack of transparency in Worldcoin’s data collection practices, as the accumulation of data from millions of users by a single entity poses serious risks to individual privacy.
Shortly after the launch of the Worldcoin token, it attracted scrutiny from authorities in various countries, including Kenya, the UK, and Germany.
In Singapore, following a brief halt in India and the end of registration activities in Brazil and France—initiatives initially set as limited previews—there are plans for a wider rollout in 2024.
Recently, Worldcoin launched Considering the ongoing scrutiny of Worldcoin's operations, the PCPD is carefully evaluating the potential privacy risks associated with the project, which underscores the necessity for the public to be cautious when sharing sensitive information.
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In line with the Trust Project guidelines Alisa, a committed journalist at Cryptocurrencylistings, specializes in the realms of cryptocurrency, zero-knowledge proofs, investments, and the vast expanse of Web3. With her sharp eye on emerging trends and technologies, she provides thorough coverage that not only informs but also engages readers amidst the swiftly changing landscape of digital finance.