Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency and digital identity project led by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, aims to establish a global network inspired by India's Aadhaar system,&nbsp;Reuters reported.

India's Aadhaar, lauded as the "world's most advanced ID programme globally",&nbsp;was introduced in 2012 to provide each Indian resident with a unique identification number and combat the misuse of&nbsp;fraudulent IDs in government programmes and welfare schemes.

It is managed by the Unique Identification Authority of India.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/what-is-worldcoin-unique-iris-scanning-cryptocurrency-backed-by-chatgpt-ceo-sam-altman-heres-how-it-works-593731">What is Worldcoin? Unique iris-scanning cryptocurrency backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman- Here's how it works</a>

Tiago Sada, Worldcoin's Head of Product, Engineering, and Design said&nbsp;that the potential impact of Worldcoin could be compared&nbsp;to the Aadhaar project in India.

"(A) really good analogy for the type of impact something like Worldcoin can have is the Aadhaar project in India," Sada was quoted as saying by Reuters.

<h2>What is Worldcoin?</h2>

Launched earlier this year by Sam Altman, along with Alex Bania and Max Novendstern, Worldcoin&nbsp;employs an eye-scanning "orb" to provide users with a unique digital identity for verification purposes.

Verified users are then granted access to a cryptocurrency called the Worldcoin token, enabling them to conduct transactions, make purchases, and transfer digital assets, including being listed on certain cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance.

The company claims to address&nbsp;the issues related to the lack of a legally verifiable digital identity, faced by an estimated 4 billion people worldwide.

Also watch |&nbsp;Worldcoin: Sam Altman's crypto venture, to replicate India's Aadhaar | World News | WION

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Altman has said in the past that Worldcoin's objective is to create a "global financial and identity network based on proof of personhood," while asserting its purported significance in an era dominated by AI.

<h2>Challenges for Worldcoin</h2>

Worldcoin has been facing a number of technical challenges since its launch, including issues where some users who were scanned reported difficulties claiming their tokens.

Additionally, there have been complaints about Worldcoin's reliability&nbsp;after its network went offline shortly after the launch, as well as instances where the orb allowed multiple accounts to be created for the same individual due to an alleged breach. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency and digital identity project led by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, aims to establish a global network inspired by India's Aadhaar system, Reuters reported.

Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency and digital identity project led by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, aims to establish a global network inspired by India's Aadhaar system, Reuters reported. India's Aadhaar, lauded as the "world's most advanced ID programme globally", was introduced in 2012 to provide each Indian resident with a unique identification number and combat the misuse of fraudulent IDs in government programmes and welfare schemes. It is managed by the Unique Identification Authority of India. Also read | What is Worldcoin? Unique iris-scanning cryptocurrency backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman- Here's how it works Tiago Sada, Worldcoin's Head of Product, Engineering, and Design said that the potential impact of Worldcoin could be compared to the Aadhaar project in India. "(A) really good analogy for the type of impact something like Worldcoin can have is the Aadhaar project in India," Sada was quoted as saying by Reuters. What is Worldcoin? Launched earlier this year by Sam Altman, along with Alex Bania and Max Novendstern, Worldcoin employs an eye-scanning "orb" to provide users with a unique digital identity for verification purposes. Verified users are then granted access to a cryptocurrency called the Worldcoin token, enabling them to conduct transactions, make purchases, and transfer digital assets, including being listed on certain cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance. The company claims to address the issues related to the lack of a legally verifiable digital identity, faced by an estimated 4 billion people worldwide. Also watch | Worldcoin: Sam Altman's crypto venture, to replicate India's Aadhaar | World News | WION × Altman has said in the past that Worldcoin's objective is to create a "global financial and identity network based on proof of personhood," while asserting its purported significance in an era dominated by AI. Challenges for Worldcoin Worldcoin has been facing a number of technical challenges since its launch, including issues where some users who were scanned reported difficulties claiming their tokens. Additionally, there have been complaints about Worldcoin's reliability after its network went offline shortly after the launch, as well as instances where the orb allowed multiple accounts to be created for the same individual due to an alleged breach. (With inputs from agencies)

India's Aadhaar inspires Sam Altman's crypto project Worldcoin

CNIL, France's privacy watchdog said on Friday (July 28) that the legality of biometric data collection of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's Worldcoin Project "seems questionable".

Worldcoin, launched on Monday, requires users to provide iris scans for a digital ID and even free cryptocurrency in some countries. Worldcoin's website says it has signed up 2.1 million people over trial in last two years.

Worldcoin has set-up sites in various locations across the world. At these locations people can get their faces scanned by a shiny spherical "orb".

Data regulator in Britain said this week that it will obtain more information about Worldcoin following its launch.

CNIL, the French watchdog, told Reuters that "The legality of this collection seems questionable, as do the conditions for storing biometric data."

CNIL said in a e-mail that investigations had been initiated which revealed that the Bavarian state authority in Germany has jurisdiction, reported Reuters. The watchdog added that the Bavarian authority has since been conducting the investigation.

Worldcoin was "designed to protect individual privacy and has built a robust privacy programme" and is committed to ensuring it meets regulatory requirements, the Worldcoin Foundation said via email, as reported by Reuters.

The Worldcoin Foundation is a Cayman Islands-based entity which describes itself as a "steward of the Worldcoin protocol".

"The Worldcoin Foundation complies with all laws and regulations governing the processing of personal data in the markets where Worldcoin is available," it said.

The Worldcoin Foundation has said that the project is supervised in the EU by the Bavarian State office for Data Protection Supervision

"The project will continue to cooperate with governing bodies on requests for more information about its privacy and data protection practices," it added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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CNIL, France's privacy watchdog said on Friday (July 28) that the legality of biometric data collection of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's Worldcoin Project "seems questionable".

CNIL, France's privacy watchdog said on Friday (July 28) that the legality of biometric data collection of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's Worldcoin Project "seems questionable". Worldcoin, launched on Monday, requires users to provide iris scans for a digital ID and even free cryptocurrency in some countries. Worldcoin's website says it has signed up 2.1 million people over trial in last two years. Worldcoin has set-up sites in various locations across the world. At these locations people can get their faces scanned by a shiny spherical "orb". Data regulator in Britain said this week that it will obtain more information about Worldcoin following its launch. CNIL, the French watchdog, told Reuters that "The legality of this collection seems questionable, as do the conditions for storing biometric data." CNIL said in a e-mail that investigations had been initiated which revealed that the Bavarian state authority in Germany has jurisdiction, reported Reuters. The watchdog added that the Bavarian authority has since been conducting the investigation. Worldcoin was "designed to protect individual privacy and has built a robust privacy programme" and is committed to ensuring it meets regulatory requirements, the Worldcoin Foundation said via email, as reported by Reuters. The Worldcoin Foundation is a Cayman Islands-based entity which describes itself as a "steward of the Worldcoin protocol". "The Worldcoin Foundation complies with all laws and regulations governing the processing of personal data in the markets where Worldcoin is available," it said. The Worldcoin Foundation has said that the project is supervised in the EU by the Bavarian State office for Data Protection Supervision "The project will continue to cooperate with governing bodies on requests for more information about its privacy and data protection practices," it added. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

French privacy watchdog skeptical about Worldcoin biometric data collection

The 'Worldcoin project', led by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has captured global attention as people around the world undergo eyeball scans in exchange for a digital ID and the promise of receiving free cryptocurrency.&nbsp;

Launched on Monday, the project initiated eyeball scans in various countries, including Britain, Japan, and India.&nbsp;

<h2>The goal behind 'Worldcoin project'</h2>

Its primary goal, as per Reuters, is to establish a new "identity and financial network," enabling users to prove their human identity online and differentiate themselves from bots.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/uk-data-watchdog-to-make-enquiries-about-worldcoin-crypto-project-report-619335">UK data watchdog to make enquiries about Worldcoin crypto project: Report</a>

The Worldcoin project claims to have issued IDs to over two million people in 120 countries during a trial period over the past two years. This&nbsp;has&nbsp;raised eyebrows among privacy campaigners and data regulators.

<h2>'Orbs are here'</h2>

At a crypto conference in Tokyo, attendees eagerly queued to have their irises scanned by a device placed near a gleaming silver globe, with the hope of receiving 25 free Worldcoin tokens, as offered by the company to verified users.

While some participants expressed curiosity and excitement about the cutting-edge crypto project, others told Reuters they weighed privacy concerns and potential data collection risks.

One user, 33-year-old Saeki Sasaki told Reuters that "there's a risk with having the data of your own eyes collected by a company, but I like to follow the most up-to-date crypto projects."

"I was a bit scared, but I've done it now and can’t take it back," she added.&nbsp;

<h2>'Verified human'</h2>

On Monday (July 24th), in east London, Worldcoin representatives showcased the project's app and conducted retinal scans, rewarding participants with free t-shirts and stickers labelled "verified human."&nbsp;

However, not all users read Worldcoin's privacy policy, which raises concerns about data being accessible to subcontractors and authorities.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/sam-altman-of-openai-launches-worldcoin-crypto-project-619146">Sam Altman of OpenAI launches Worldcoin crypto project</a>

Despite the risks and critiques from privacy advocates, the allure of free cryptocurrency tokens encouraged many to share personal data.&nbsp;

"It's quite concerning but I think a lot of companies have our data at this point," said one user.

Others claimed that considering the future challenges of distinguishing human from artificial intelligence, they found the project intriguing.

<h2>Experts raise concerns</h2>

Critics, including the US privacy campaigner Electronic Privacy Information Center, have labelled Worldcoin's data-collection practices as a "potential privacy nightmare."&nbsp;

UK privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch expressed concern about potential data hacking and exploitation of biometric data.&nbsp;

"Digital ID systems increase state and corporate control over individuals' lives and rarely live up to the extraordinary benefits technocrats tend to attribute to them," said the group's senior advocacy officer Madeleine Stone.

However, the company, on its website, asserts that the project is "completely private" and allows users to either delete their biometric data or store it in encrypted form.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The 'Worldcoin project', led by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has captured global attention as people around the world undergo eyeball scans in exchange for a digital ID and the promise of receiving free cryptocurrency.

The 'Worldcoin project', led by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has captured global attention as people around the world undergo eyeball scans in exchange for a digital ID and the promise of receiving free cryptocurrency. Launched on Monday, the project initiated eyeball scans in various countries, including Britain, Japan, and India. The goal behind 'Worldcoin project' Its primary goal, as per Reuters, is to establish a new "identity and financial network," enabling users to prove their human identity online and differentiate themselves from bots. Also read | UK data watchdog to make enquiries about Worldcoin crypto project: Report The Worldcoin project claims to have issued IDs to over two million people in 120 countries during a trial period over the past two years. This has raised eyebrows among privacy campaigners and data regulators. 'Orbs are here' At a crypto conference in Tokyo, attendees eagerly queued to have their irises scanned by a device placed near a gleaming silver globe, with the hope of receiving 25 free Worldcoin tokens, as offered by the company to verified users. While some participants expressed curiosity and excitement about the cutting-edge crypto project, others told Reuters they weighed privacy concerns and potential data collection risks. One user, 33-year-old Saeki Sasaki told Reuters that "there's a risk with having the data of your own eyes collected by a company, but I like to follow the most up-to-date crypto projects." "I was a bit scared, but I've done it now and can’t take it back," she added. 'Verified human' On Monday (July 24th), in east London, Worldcoin representatives showcased the project's app and conducted retinal scans, rewarding participants with free t-shirts and stickers labelled "verified human." However, not all users read Worldcoin's privacy policy, which raises concerns about data being accessible to subcontractors and authorities. Also read | Sam Altman of OpenAI launches Worldcoin crypto project Despite the risks and critiques from privacy advocates, the allure of free cryptocurrency tokens encouraged many to share personal data. "It's quite concerning but I think a lot of companies have our data at this point," said one user. Others claimed that considering the future challenges of distinguishing human from artificial intelligence, they found the project intriguing. Experts raise concerns Critics, including the US privacy campaigner Electronic Privacy Information Center, have labelled Worldcoin's data-collection practices as a "potential privacy nightmare." UK privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch expressed concern about potential data hacking and exploitation of biometric data. "Digital ID systems increase state and corporate control over individuals' lives and rarely live up to the extraordinary benefits technocrats tend to attribute to them," said the group's senior advocacy officer Madeleine Stone. However, the company, on its website, asserts that the project is "completely private" and allows users to either delete their biometric data or store it in encrypted form. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Eyeball scans for cryptocurrency: Sam Altman's 'Worldcoin Project' raises privacy concerns