Worldcoin Ordered To Stop Collecting Data By Spanish Agency

The Spanish government has directed the human identity-focused crypto project Worldcoin (WLD) to halt its data collection activities in the country following numerous complaints by customers. According to a recent announcement by the Spanish Data Collection Agency (AEPD), Worldcoin is mandated to cease the gathering of personal data due to complaints indicating that its data collection process violated user rights.

OpenAI In Hot Water

The AEPD has declared its intention to block the data already gathered by the eye-scanning digital identification project. As per the aforementioned announcement, the Spanish Data Protection Agency has issued a precautionary measure against Tools for Humanity Corporation, instructing it to halt the collection and processing of personal data conducted in Spain under the Worldcoin project, and to block the already collected data.

Several complaints have been lodged against the company, citing inadequate information provision, collection of data by minors, and the inability to withdraw consent, among other violations. Late last year, Worldcoin, co-founded by Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, faced operational suspensions in Brazil, India, and France, resulting in a 20% drop in its price at that time.

Elon Gets Involved

Earlier this month, Elon Musk also filed a lawsuit against Sam Altman and OpenAI, alleging a breach of the founding agreement. According to the lawsuit, Altman initially proposed OpenAI to Musk in 2015. Musk agreed and provided funding and assistance in recruiting for the firm. However, OpenAI was subsequently acquired by Microsoft, allegedly breaching the original agreement.

The lawsuit stated that contrary to the founding agreement, defendants have opted to utilize GPT-4 not for the betterment of humanity, but as proprietary technology to maximize profits. Moreover, Elon claims that the entire development of OpenAI is now shrouded in secrecy, with the public having only rumors and fragmentary communications to grasp what might be released next.