🚨⚡According to Cointelegraph, World, the digital identity project led by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has successfully raised $135 million from venture capital firms Andreessen Horowitz and Pantera Capital Crypto. The funding aims to enhance the iris scan network and infrastructure within the United States and expand its global reach. The company announced in April that it intends to operate in six U.S. cities, with plans for global coverage.
⚓⚡World has issued more than 12.5 million global ID cards across over 160 states, establishing "personal identity verification" through the collection of biometric data. However, the project faces significant regulatory challenges and bans in several countries. Critics argue that offering financial incentives for collecting biometric data compromises informed consent, raising ethical concerns about centralized digital identity systems and data privacy.
🚨⚡In January, Brazil's National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) ordered World to cease operations in the country, citing concerns over incentivizing the collection of biometric data through cryptocurrency payments. ANPD upheld the ban in March, emphasizing the company's business model of exchanging cryptocurrency payments for biometric data. World faces daily fines of 50,000 Brazilian reais ($8,851) if it continues operations in Brazil.
🦷🔹Similarly, Indonesia's Ministry of Digital Communications (Komdigi) suspended World’s business license on May 4, accusing some subsidiaries of failing to register as digital asset service providers under the Electronic System Operator Certification Registration (TDPSE) framework. Komdigi launched an investigation and plans to meet with subsidiary representatives to address the issue.
♦️These bans follow a directive issued in December 2024 by the Bavarian State Office for Data Protection Supervision (BayLDA), a German regulatory authority, which required World to comply with EU data protection standards. The directive mandates that World provide individuals with an easy option to delete their biometric data from the network, highlighting the ongoing scrutiny of the project.
