Worldcoin Enhances Privacy with Biometric Data Deletion Option

Sam Altman’s Worldcoin project has introduced new features to bolster personal data protection. Users now have the option to revoke their World ID verification.

Now everyone has even more choice & control over their data ?https://t.co/zOD5JdbmKA

— Worldcoin (@worldcoin) April 9, 2024

As part of the update, developers have implemented:

• the ability to delete retina scans;
• personal age verification — ensuring that a Worldcoin user is over 18 years old.

To prevent fraud, the biometric deletion process requires a six-month “cooling-off” period. After this, the individual’s World ID will become invalid and cannot be restored.

“These enhancements are based on preliminary assessments by data protection authorities, including the Bavarian State Office for Data Protection Supervision, which is the lead supervisory authority for the Worldcoin project in the EU, and were developed in consultation with third-party privacy and security experts,” the press release states.

Age verification is conducted in locations where retina scanning is available. Project representatives emphasized that the procedure “will not involve storing, recording, or transmitting any information.”

The project’s main product, the World ID protocol, is based on zero-knowledge proofs. It serves as a tool allowing individuals to undergo identification using biometric data or a phone number.

In February, the team announced reaching 1 million daily active users in the World App.

However, the launch of Worldcoin has raised data protection concerns among regulators in several countries. Authorities in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Argentina, and Kenya have taken an interest in the project’s activities. On March 21, Kenyan authorities rejected a request from the U.S. government to lift the suspension of the project in their jurisdiction.

Previously, Hong Kong’s Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data reported suspicions regarding the project for potential violations of information storage provisions.

The Spanish regulator demanded the company immediately cease collecting personal data within the country. In response, its representatives stated that the project operates “legally in all available locations” and fully complies with data collection and transmission requirements.

Back in March, developers released the open-source code for the main components of orb software and introduced the Personal Custody privacy feature.