Spanish regulators are taking steps to shut down the Worldcoin project, expressing concern over the collection of citizens' biometric data. AEPD Director, María España Martí, has called on the company to immediately cease collecting iris data in exchange for tokens and to stop using data already collected. This warning follows after the AEPD gave Worldcoin 72 hours to comply with their recommendations. Particularly alarming is the collection of information about minors. Spain has become the first country in Europe to oppose Worldcoin's actions, raising the question of the need for coordinated action by EU regulators.
Worldcoin has encountered problems not only in Europe. Access to the project is blocked in China and India, and last year Kenyan authorities accused it of illegal activity, suspending its operations in the country. In early 2024, Hong Kong police began investigating Worldcoin's activities, conducting raids at six local offices.
Despite the resistance from law enforcement agencies in various countries, Worldcoin co-founder Sam Altman announced that the project has reached an important milestone: the number of daily users of the World App wallet has exceeded one million. This indicates significant interest in the project despite legal and ethical controversies surrounding it.
