Recently, Sam Altman's project — Worldcoin, has sparked widespread controversy and attention due to its unique iris scanning cryptocurrency scheme. The Worldcoin project aims to combine biometric technology with cryptocurrency, with the goal of providing universal basic income to a segment of the population. However, no clear explanation has been given on how it actually operates. According to The Wall Street Journal, over ten countries worldwide have launched investigations into the project.
So, how exactly does this project work? Users need to use a metallic sphere to scan their irises, after which they can receive 25 units of the platform's unique cryptocurrency. Subsequently, the user's iris information is bound with their identity on Worldcoin's blockchain. However, the privacy of this process and the security of the data have raised widespread doubts among governments, with many harboring suspicions.
According to current investigation data, Worldcoin is under scrutiny in at least 14 countries, including France, the UK, South Korea, and Chile. These numbers undoubtedly raise concerns about the project's future. Worldcoin's Privacy Officer, Damien Kieran, told The Wall Street Journal that public distrust is inevitable, and they are working with regulatory agencies. However, so far, this cooperation seems to have yielded no substantive progress. The only significant action taken was the company's commitment to verify the age of registered users, after they were found allowing minors to register in Portugal, which only adds to the suspicion surrounding the project.
In many countries conducting investigations, Worldcoin's currency has been suspended. The only country that has completed its investigation is Kenya, which, after a year-long investigation, finally lifted the ban on the project. In Argentina, Worldcoin was fined $200,000 for improper terms in its service agreement. It is worth noting that due to "regulatory uncertainty," Worldcoin has not officially launched its cryptocurrency in the United States. However, this did not prevent journalists from experiencing iris scanning in a shared office space in Brooklyn.
Key Points:
🌍 Countries around the world are investigating Sam Altman's Worldcoin project, with 14 countries already involved.
👁️ Users need to obtain cryptocurrency through iris scanning, but privacy and data security issues have sparked widespread doubts.
💰 Argentina imposed a $200,000 fine on the project, while Kenya lifted the ban after completing a year-long investigation.