People from all over the globe are willingly participating in Worldcoin’s iris scanning process in exchange for a digital ID and the opportunity to receive free cryptocurrency. This disregard for privacy concerns and data regulations has raised eyebrows among privacy advocates. Worldcoin, founded by ChatGPT developer OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman, aims to establish a new “identity and financial network.” The project’s digital ID allows users to verify their humanity online and distinguish themselves from bots. The launch of the project took place on Monday, with eyeball scans occurring in various countries including Britain, Japan, and India.
At a crypto conference in Tokyo, individuals lined up in front of a shining silver globe adorned with signs declaring, “Orbs are here.” They eagerly awaited their turn to have their irises scanned by the device, with the promise of receiving 25 free Worldcoin tokens for verified users. Users, despite concerns over data collection, expressed their curiosity about the project. During the trial period over the past two years, the project claims to have issued IDs to over two million people in 120 countries.
However, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a privacy campaigner in the United States, warns that Worldcoin’s data collection could present a “potential privacy nightmare.” Worldcoin has not responded to inquiries regarding their privacy policies, leaving concerned parties in the dark. The project’s website claims to prioritize privacy, stating that biometric data either gets deleted or can be stored in encrypted form based on user preference.
In a co-working space in London, representatives from Worldcoin assisted people in downloading the app and undergoing scans. Participants received free t-shirts and stickers proclaiming them as “verified humans.” The promise of potential financial gains from the cryptocurrency proved enticing to many users, prompting them to willingly provide personal data. Even though Worldcoin’s privacy policy allows data to be accessed by governments and authorities, users like Ali, a chemical engineering student, choose to overlook these concerns due to the allure of “free money.”
UK privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch expressed apprehension at the risk of biometric data being hacked or exploited. They caution that digital ID systems grant excessive control to corporations and the state, rarely living up to their proclaimed benefits. Regulators, including Britain’s data regulator, are taking an interest in Worldcoin and conducting inquiries into its UK launch. In Bengaluru, India, orb-operators in a mall approached passersby, demonstrating how to sign up for the project. Despite some individuals being unconcerned about privacy issues, others like 18-year-old student Sujith acknowledged not reading Worldcoin’s fine print but still opted to participate due to a desire for free coins.
Overall, people worldwide are captivated by the Worldcoin project and its potential to revolutionize identity verification and financial networks, even though privacy and data concerns remain a lingering issue.
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