Hong Kong's privacy watchdog accused Worldcoin of violating data laws.

Hong Kong privacy regulators have found that Worldcoin violated local privacy laws, requiring the Worldcoin Foundation to cease all operations in the territory.

Worldcoin, the iris biometric crypto startup co-founded by OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman, has found itself embroiled in controversy over its data collection practices in Hong Kong.

According to a report released by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) on May 22, the project has been found to be in conflict with Hong Kong's personal data (privacy) regulations, posing risks to privacy related to the way the San Francisco-based startup handles biometric data .

Privacy Commissioner Ada Chung Lai-ling said the facial and iris images collected by the Worldcoin project were "unnecessary and excessive," violating local requirements.

The findings showed that Worldcoin's data collection practices were unfair and lacked transparency because relevant privacy notices and biometric data consent forms were not available in Chinese, PCPD said, adding that operators did not adequately explain the documents to participants. Worldcoin's storage of personal data for up to 10 years is also considered excessive.

"The retention period is too long and amounts to prolonged storage of personal data."

There's Chung