Worldcoin clarifies legality issues following Spain’s 3-month ban on its operations Worldcoin clarifies legality issues following Spain’s 3-month ban on its operations
Facing regulatory challenges in various nations, Worldcoin has publicly emphasized its dedication to complying with local laws and regulations.
2 min read
Updated: Mar. 20, 2024 at 12:27 pm UTC
Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate. Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.
Worldcoin has publicly recently reaffirmed the legality of its operations across the globe amid rising regulatory concerns that have led some countries to halt its operations in their jurisdictions.
The public declaration comes in the wake of a recent decision by Spain’s National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) to prohibit the startup’s activities within the country for three months. The CNMV’s decision was based on Worldcoin’s failure to secure authorization to provide investment services or engage in securities-related activities in Spain.
Despite these hurdles, Worldcoin said it maintains a steadfast commitment to adhering to local and international laws, ensuring its innovative approach to identity verification remains accessible and compliant globally.
According to the blog:
“Worldcoin operates lawfully in all of the locations in which it is available.
Various other authorities have also raised concerns regarding the project’s transparency and data security in recent months, leading to investigations and regulatory actions in multiple countries, including Germany, France, South Korea, Argentina, the UK, and Kenya.
No money involved
The project emphasized that its data collection process adheres to strict ethical guidelines and does not involve purchasing or selling personal information. Additionally, the project has implemented advanced security measures to protect users’ biometric data.
Instead, Worldcoin aims to provide universal access to financial services and identity verification through its World ID, a privacy-centric global identity network designed to reduce economic inequality by allowing equal participation in the digital economy.
According to the blog, the project operates under strict adherence to data protection and privacy regulations, including the EU’s GDPR and Argentina’s Personal Data Protection Act.
It added that regulatory bodies such as the Bavarian State Office for Data Protection Supervision closely monitor Worldcoin’s activities, ensuring compliance with the highest legal and ethical obligations standards.
Additionally, Worldcoin has made critical components of its technology open source to ensure its transparency and recently underwent a security audit by Trail of Bits.
Progress despite challenges
Despite the regulatory scrutiny across various nations, Worldcoin has achieved significant milestones, including reaching 4 million app downloads on iOS and Android platforms since its launch in July 2023. The app rewards users with Worldcoin’s native WLD token after successfully verifying their identity through iris scans.
Worldcoin’s technology revolves around the Orb device, which performs iris scans to generate a unique iris code for each user. The initiative aims to deliver a universally verified digital identity, a goal the company claims has been unattainable until now.
Worldcoin has also continued its expansion efforts and recently launched in Mexico and Singapore, with plans to extend further into Asia. This expansion reflects the company’s determination to persist in its mission despite regulatory hurdles, aiming to revolutionize how identity is verified in the digital age.
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Author 
Assad Jafri
AJ, a passionate journalist since Yemen's 2011 Arab Spring, has honed his skills worldwide for over a decade. Specializing in financial journalism, he now focuses on crypto reporting.
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Worldcoin’s mission is to build the world’s largest identity and financial network to serve as a public utility, giving ownership to everyone.
Worldcoin
Worldcoin, co-founded by Alex Blania and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, seeks to provide its users with a verified digital identity, as well as a cryptocurrency token (WLD) and a crypto wallet software.