The Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data in Hong Kong has initiated an inquiry into Worldcoin's operations within the region, highlighting potential privacy concerns related to personal data.

On January 31, the authority reported carrying out searches at six locations associated with Worldcoin, collecting relevant documents and information to assess the project's compliance with data protection laws.

The agency emphasized the potential misuse of biometric data, specifically iris scans used by Worldcoin for identity verification, urging the public to be cautious.

The PCPD expressed apprehension regarding the privacy implications of Worldcoin's activities, suspecting that the handling of sensitive personal information might breach the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance's stipulations.

The regulatory body underscored that Worldcoin must ensure that any personal data it processes is obtained for legitimate reasons directly linked to its operational purposes, labeling iris data as particularly sensitive.

Worldcoin, which began in 2021 and officially launched in July 2023, has been under scrutiny by various national regulators due to privacy concerns.

This scrutiny has led to a temporary halt of its services in countries like Kenya and a pause in iris scanning in India.

As of December 2023, Worldcoin reports over 5 million registered users, though it has not commented on the ongoing investigation.

Sources:

https://cointelegraph.com/news/hong-kong-investigate-worldcoin-privacy

https://www.pcpd.org.hk/english/news_events/media_statements/press_20240131.html