Colombia Opens Investigation Against Worldcoin for Data Protection Breach

Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency startup founded by Sam Altman, has faced accusations of violating national data protection laws in yet another country. This time, the focus is on Colombia.

Accusations Against Worldcoin

Colombia’s Industry and Commerce Supervision Agency (SIC) has launched an investigation into Worldcoin to determine whether Worldcoin and Tools for Humanity violated data protection regulations and privacy policies.

Investigation Details

The investigation aims to determine if the parties under investigation violated the Colombian personal data protection regime in the collection of sensitive personal data. The SIC has issued a preliminary indictment assessing whether Worldcoin violated the country’s data protection laws. The preliminary indictment outlines possible penalties for Worldcoin, including a hefty fine, a six-month suspension of data processing activities, or a complete shutdown of operations if found guilty.

Worldcoin Operations in Colombia

Worldcoin launched in Colombia in June 2024 and currently operates Orb devices in 25 locations across seven Colombian cities, including the capital Bogota. As of the time of writing, WLD is trading at $1.72, up 7.8% in the last 24 hours.

The consequences of the investigation could be significant for Worldcoin, as the company faces potential hefty fines and sanctions. Stay tuned for further developments.