[Worldcoin hires former Google, X and Apple executives to strengthen privacy and security]
Worldcoin builder Tools for Humanity (TFH) has appointed former X (formerly Twitter) executive Damien Kieran as chief privacy officer. Former Google executives Adrian Ludwig and Ajay Patel serve as chief information security officer and head of World ID, respectively, while former Apple executive Rich Heley serves as chief device officer.
TFH, the builder of decentralized identity project Worldcoin, recently hired these four experienced experts to strengthen the privacy, security and identity management industries. Damien Kieran, previously chief privacy officer at X and general counsel at BeReal, joins TFH as chief privacy officer. Adrian Ludwig, formerly Director of Android Security at Google and Chief Information Officer at Atlassian, now serves as Chief Information Security Officer. Ajay Patel formerly led the Google Payments identity team and now leads World ID. Rich Heley, who has held senior management positions at Apple, Meta, and Tesla, now serves as Chief Device Officer, overseeing Worldcoin’s retinal scanning device.
Worldcoin’s unique approach to biometric data collection may be controversial, but as AI and machine learning develop, the need to prove human identity and combat online fraud continues to grow. In recent years, Worldcoin has been investigated by data protection regulators in France and other countries. Earlier this year, the project's iris scanning and identification operations were deemed by Hong Kong's Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) to violate the territory's data protection principles.
Kieran said his new role is to ensure the company complies with privacy regulations and structures and that external audiences, particularly privacy regulators, understand and use the tools behind Worldcoin with transparency. "I look forward to continuing to engage with regulators and data privacy officials in the EU and around the world to answer their questions, share information transparently and break down common misconceptions, and continue to provide individuals with a greater financial and identity network," he said. Access."
