South Korea privacy watchdog investigates Worldcoin

South Korea's Personal Information Protection Committee (PIPC) initiated an investigation into Worldcoin following a series of complaints about the manner in which the company was collecting sensitive data from users. 

The PIPC announced its investigation into Worldcoin would look into 'the overall collection and processing of sensitive information and overseas transfer of personal information under the Personal Information Protection Act.' 

It also noted that Worldcoin and ‘affiliates’ are reportedly collecting facial and iris data in 10 locations across South Korea, and that it would take action 'if vilations are found.'

The investigation comes in the wake of enforcement actions against the biometric cryptocurrency project in Hong Kong and Kenya. 

Regulation ⚖️

• Personal Information Protection Act

Legal, regulatory 👩🏼‍⚖️

• https://www.pipc.go.kr/np/cop/bbs/selectBoardArticle.do?bbsId=BS074&mCode=C020010000&nttId=9963#LINK

News, commentary, analysis 🗞️

• https://crypt-news.com/south-koreas-regulator-launches-investigation-into-worldcoin-amid-privacy-concerns/

• https://news.bitcoin.com/south-korea-launches-investigation-into-worldcoins-data-collection-practices/

• https://iapp.org/news/a/south-korea-announces-investigation-into-worldcoin/

• https://protos.com/south-korea-vows-to-take-action-if-worldcoin-violations-are-confirmed/

• https://www.biometricupdate.com/202403/south-korea-privacy-regulator-to-investigate-worldcoins-biometrics-handling

• https://readwrite.com/south-korea-launches-investigation-into-worldcoin/