Colombia's SIC Investigates Worldcoin Over Biometric Data Privacy Concerns

The Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio (SIC) of Colombia has launched an investigation into Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency and digital passport company. Concerns have emerged regarding the company's biometric data collection practices and potential violations of citizens' right to data privacy in Bogotá and Medellín.

Worldcoin, co-founded by Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and Alex Blania, CEO of Tools for Humanity, officially launched its services in Colombia on May 30, 2024. The company aims to provide a secure and private way to verify human identity online using a device called the 'orb' to scan users' irises. However, this technology has raised significant privacy concerns.

Why this matters: The investigation into Worldcoin's biometric data collection practices has significant implications for the regulation of data privacy in Colombia and beyond. The outcome of this investigation could set important precedents for how biometric data is handled in various countries, potentially impacting millions of people.

The SIC's investigation, initiated on May 31, 2024, seeks to determine whether Worldcoin's practices comply with Colombian data protection regulations. The investigation is focused on the company's operations in Bogotá and Medellín, where Worldcoin has been actively promoting its services.

Worldcoin's business model involves scanning individuals' irises using a silver orb with sensors, which has sparked controversy. Critics argue that this practice may violate individuals' right to data privacy, despite the company's assurances that it does not retain biometric data. Instead, Worldcoin claims to encode the iris image into an alphanumeric code and delete the original image.

The SIC has applied the 'precautionary principle' to protect national data, citing Worldcoin's antecedents in South Korea and seven other countries, including its prohibition in Kenya, Spain, Brazil, France, and India. The SIC has called on citizens to be informed about the consequences of granting access to their iris data.

Worldcoin has responded to the investigation by emphasizing that it does not store biometric data. Astrid Vasconcellos, director of Communication for Latin America at Tools for Humanity, stated, 'Lo que se hace es sacar una foto de la iris con la foto se codifica en un código alfanumérico y la foto de la iris se envía al dispositivo de las de las personas y luego se borra. La única información que se queda el proyecto es el código de iris.'

Despite these assurances, the SIC remains cautious. The agency has warned that Worldcoin has not demonstrated scientifically or technically that its practices do not involve the collection of sensitive personal data. The SIC's investigation will continue to monitor Worldcoin's compliance with data protection laws to safeguard Colombian citizens' privacy rights.

Worldcoin's entry into Colombia has sparked significant debate about the balance between technological innovation and data privacy. The SIC's investigation progresses, the outcome will likely have broader implications for the regulation of biometric data collection in the country.

The SIC's investigation into Worldcoin highlights the ongoing challenges of ensuring data privacy in an increasingly digital world. The outcome of this investigation will be closely watched, as it could set important precedents for how biometric data is handled in Colombia and beyond.

Key Takeaways

• Colombia's SIC investigates Worldcoin's biometric data collection practices.
• Worldcoin scans users' irises, raising privacy concerns in Bogotá and Medellín.
• SIC seeks to determine if Worldcoin complies with Colombian data protection regulations.
• Worldcoin claims it doesn't store biometric data, but SIC remains cautious.
• Investigation's outcome may set precedents for biometric data regulation in Colombia and beyond.