In response to widespread criticism in Chile, Worldcoin has announced alterations to its data collection protocols.
Astrid Vasconcellos, the company’s head of communication and marketing for Latin America, emphasized the company’s commitment to security and privacy, stating that these are central to the Worldcoin project.
Vasconcellos reassured the public that iris scans are not being cross-referenced with personal data and highlighted implementing a new method to verify the ages of Chilean visitors to their Orb operator centers. Worldcoin also revealed that it has successfully scanned over 1% of the Chilean population.
Legal challenges and public concerns
The Kamanau Foundation, through its executive director Moises Sánchez, has raised serious concerns regarding Worldcoin’s adherence to Chile’s Neuro-Rights Law, particularly with minors. In an interview with CNN Chile, Sánchez explained that the company had been collecting biometric scans from minors without obtaining informed consent from their parents or guardians. He announced the filing of an appeal with the Court of Appeals of Valparaíso to ensure that the Supreme Court reviewed the case.
Corte Exige a WorldCoin Borrar Datos de Menor@moisessanchezr director ejecutivo de @Kamanau_ se refirió a los alcances de la decisión de la corte en @cooperativacien Entrevista completa https://t.co/Sp4MACfDcS1/2 pic.twitter.com/SXAZoXr6k6
— Fundación Kamanau (@Kamanau_) April 2, 2024
Simultaneously, a Chilean lawyer, Rodrigo Lagos initiated a similar legal action in the Court of Appeals of Santiago. Lagos accused Worldcoin of allowing his 17-year-old daughter to undergo an iris scan without parental consent. These legal actions underscore the growing scrutiny over Worldcoin’s operations concerning minors.
Regulatory updates and operational shifts
Worldcoin has taken steps to refine its operational framework in Chile, prompted by criticism and legal challenges. Vasconcellos acknowledged that the initial issues may have stemmed from the project’s complex nature and widespread misinformation. She clarified that Worldcoin is now mandating the presentation of valid identification documents before individuals can access their centers, moving away from reliance on verbal confirmations.
The company also affirmed its commitment to aligning its operations with the highest international standards for personal data processing and keeping Chilean consumers informed about their data usage. This strategic shift aims to mitigate further legal challenges and enhance public trust in the project.
While Worldcoin’s efforts to adjust its procedures have been acknowledged, the company still faces the task of clarifying its objectives and educating the Chilean public about the intricacies of its operations. The ongoing legal discussions in Chilean courts highlight the need for clear communication and stringent adherence to legal standards to navigate the sensitive issue of biometric data collection.
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