China’s government is worried about a company (likely Worldcoin) collecting people’s iris scans in exchange for cryptocurrency. They say this is a big threat to personal privacy and even national security.
China’s Warning: Biometric Data and National Security
The Ministry of State Security (MSS) recently warned about a foreign company’s mass collection of iris data, linked to giving out cryptocurrency. While they didn’t name names, it’s pretty clear they’re talking about Worldcoin, which uses special orbs to scan people’s eyes to create unique digital IDs and give out its WLD token. The MSS says sending this sensitive data to foreign companies is risky, not just for individuals, but for the entire country.
Growing Global Concerns About Biometric Crypto
This isn’t the first time Worldcoin has faced trouble. Several countries are investigating them, mainly because of data protection and consent issues. Indonesia even suspended their operations for a while. China has a history of being tough on crypto, and this warning shows they’re concerned about the national security implications of biometric data collection tied to crypto rewards.
Privacy vs. Innovation: The Worldcoin Debate
Worldcoin says iris scans are a safe and efficient way to prove someone’s a real person online, useful for fighting bots in the Web3 world. But critics argue that once this sensitive data is collected, it’s at risk, no matter how well it’s protected.
What’s Next? Increased Regulation?
China’s warning suggests they might start watching foreign crypto projects more closely, especially those collecting data from Chinese citizens. This fits with a global trend of governments trying to balance tech innovation with data protection. Other countries, like those in Europe and Kenya, have already taken action against Worldcoin. The MSS is urging people to be careful about giving up their personal data for crypto.