Brazilian authorities reaffirm the World crypto ban over privacy concerns
The use of digital identity methods is growing, but privacy concerns continue to challenge projects like World ID in Brazil.
Brazil’s data protection agency, the National Data Protection Authority (ANDP), has upheld its ban on World, formerly known as Worldcoin, in the country.
The ban prevents the company from offering financial compensation to users who provide biometric data, specifically iris scans. ANDP rejected a petition from World ID developer, Tools For Humanity, to review the restriction.
The agency’s decision comes after concerns that providing financial rewards for biometric data could undermine users’ ability to consent.
The company now faces a daily fine of 50,000 Brazilian reais ($8,800) if it resumes data collection activities. Concerns over privacy violations tied to the project’s biometric data collection were mounting at the time.
While World ID has faced opposition in Brazil, the push for digital identity solutions continues in other regions. Some companies are finding ways to develop digital identity solutions without infringing on privacy or facing regulatory pushback.
Billions Network launched a platform using zero-knowledge verification technology. It has already been tested by major financial institutions.
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