French Regulator Questions Worldcoin\'s Iris Scanning Procedure: A Deep Dive
Sam Altman’s newly established cryptocurrency venture, Worldcoin, has been drawing regulatory attention, with France being the latest country to take notice. The French privacy watchdog, the Commission Nationale Informatique & Libertés (CNIL), questions the legality of the Worldcoin iris data collection. Since its launch, the project has faced increasing scrutiny.
The French Regulators in the UK, France, Germany, Kenya and Mexico are scrutinizing Worldcoin, the company that offers people free cryptocurrency for enrolling in its digital ID. This global review highlights the sensitivity surrounding biometric data collection and the potential implications for user privacy.
CNIL\'s Concerns: Is Worldcoin\'s Iris Scanning GDPR Compliant?
Concerns revolve around whether the platform’s approach to gathering iris scans for digital IDs aligns with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). According to a recent report, CNIL suggested that the iris scanning that Worldcoin requires “seems questionable.”
The French watchdog issued a statement in response to a Reuters inquiry on Worldcoin, stating that the legality of collecting biometric data through iris scans appears problematic. CNIL said, “Worldcoin collected data in France," raising significant data protection concerns.
How Worldcoin\'s Iris Scanning Process Works
Employing a distinctive method, Worldcoin utilizes orbs designed to scan individuals’ eyes and gather biometric iris data. In return for undergoing this scanning process, participants are rewarded with Worldcoin cryptocurrency.
The French privacy watchdog, the Commission Nationale Informatique & Libertés (CNIL), questions the legality of the Worldcoin iris data collection. Since its launch, these questions have only intensified.
Une semaine après son lancement, la cryptomonnaie de Sam Altman, le patron d\'OpenAI, fait l’objet de plusieurs enquêtes de la part des organismes européens chargés de la protection de 1 de sept. de 2025. (One week after its launch, the cryptocurrency of Sam Altman, the head of OpenAI, is the subject of several investigations by European bodies responsible for data protection from September 1, 2025.)
Stay tuned for further updates on the CNIL\'s investigation and the future of Worldcoin in France and beyond.