Worldcoin, a groundbreaking proof-of-personhood project, is challenging Spain’s data protection agency, the AEPD, over alleged GDPR violations. The organization behind Worldcoin, Tools For Humanity, has taken legal action against the AEPD for banning its operations in Spain, claiming that the regulatory authority’s actions breach EU regulations.
The dispute centers on the AEPD’s decision to order Worldcoin to withdraw data collected from Spanish users for verification, citing GDPR non-compliance. However, Tools For Humanity argues that the AEPD lacks the jurisdiction to impose such a ban, as the GDPR dictates that regulatory intervention should be led by the agency where Worldcoin is incorporated, in this case, the Bavarian State Office for Data Protection Supervision (BayLDA).
Jannick Preiwisch, the Worldcoin Foundation’s data protection officer, emphasized the project’s commitment to legal compliance under BayLDA’s supervision. Despite the suspension of World ID verification services in Spain, the digital wallet services of World App remain operational as BayLDA conducts an audit of the project.
As the legal battle between Worldcoin and Spanish regulators unfolds, the clash highlights the intersection of privacy rights and technological innovation within the EU’s regulatory landscape. While Worldcoin disputes the AEPD’s actions, the outcome of the audit by BayLDA is anticipated to shed light on the project’s adherence to GDPR protocols.
