From Cointelegraph

May 14, 2025 03:11 AM:

World Network, the digital identity and crypto project of Sam Altman’s OpenAI, faces backlash ahead of its US launch over data collection and protection concerns. The project, formerly known as Worldcoin, is under investigation in multiple countries and has faced regulatory bans in some regions.

Privacy activists warn that World’s expansion into the US could lead to discrimination due to varying privacy laws. CEO Sam Altman announced plans to set up in key innovation hubs across five states, using iris-scanning technology to verify users as human with unique biomedical markers.

Despite concerns, World’s iris-scanning technology is being trialed on the popular dating app Tinder in Japan. If successful, the ID system could see widespread adoption in the US, potentially capturing a significant share of the online dating market. However, privacy rights in the US remain contentious, with recent lawsuits and regulation impacting biometric data collection.

Regulators around the world are cracking down on Worldcoin, with countries like Spain, Hong Kong, Germany, Kenya, Colombia, Argentina, and Brazil either investigating, limiting, or outright banning the project. Privacy International warns of the threats posed by biometric technologies to privacy and personal security due to potential discrimination and mass surveillance risks.

Read more at Cointelegraph: Alarm bells ring in US over OpenAI’s crypto project World