In a noteworthy development, Worldcoin (WLD) proudly announced on September 24 that more than 200,000 individuals in Chile have enrolled and successfully completed the verification process for its innovative World ID project. This remarkable feat reflects the growing traction of the digital identity initiative, given that Chile’s population hovers around 19.5 million. Impressively, the number of sign-ups for World ID has surpassed 1% of the country’s total population, as highlighted by the Worldcoin team.
Amid this surging demand for World ID in Chile, Tools for Humanity, a dedicated developer group contributing to the enhancement and adoption of Worldcoin, has taken significant steps. The group has deployed biometric imaging devices, known as “Orbs,” in two additional locations within Chile. Beyond the capital city of Santiago, these advanced iris scanners are now accessible in the cities of Vina del Mar and Concepcion.
Worldcoin’s Push for Digital ID Meets Regulatory Scrutiny
Worldcoin, a project co-founded by Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, and which made its debut in July this year, reports that more individuals are enrolling for World ID as they receive “free” WLD coins. As indicated on the project’s official website, over 2.3 million people have undergone iris scanning procedures thus far.
The primary objective of Worldcoin’s project is to create a digital ID system that empowers individuals to demonstrate their humanity in online environments. This initiative seeks to address the challenges presented by a future where artificial intelligence might cast doubt on human identity. However, as the project has gained momentum, data regulators and privacy advocates in various countries have raised significant concerns regarding the collection of data by Worldcoin.
This mounting need for transparency and accountability regarding the handling of biometric data collected by Worldcoin has triggered regulatory responses from countries such as Argentina, France, Kenya, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
Kenya’s Reaction to Worldcoin’s Biometric Data Collection
Kenya, for instance, took the proactive step of suspending Worldcoin’s activities in August, following a surge of interest from thousands of people in the capital city of Nairobi, eager to undergo eye scans in exchange for WLD tokens. The Kenyan government initiated a parliamentary inquiry into the matter, with Worldcoin’s co-founder, Alex Blania, being among the officials summoned to appear before the ad hoc committee.
According to a recent report in the Daily Nation, Kenya had detained some of the project’s high-ranking executives, only to release them following alleged intervention by U.S. authorities. These events underscore the intricate web of challenges that Worldcoin faces as it navigates the intricate terrain of biometric data collection and digital identity implementation.