The Hong Kong data regulator recently concluded that Worldcoin’s data collection methods and activities violated the region’s “privacy ordinance.” Privacy Commissioner Chung Liling has issued an enforcement notice requesting Worldcoin to cease data collection from Hong Kong residents.
Hong Kong Regulator: Worldcoin Activities Violated Privacy Ordinance
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Worldcoin’s Excessive Data Collection Methods
An investigation by the Hong Kong Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) concluded that Worldcoin’s activities in the region violate the “privacy ordinance.” Consequently, Privacy Commissioner Chung Liling issued an enforcement notice requesting Worldcoin to cease data collection from Hong Kong residents.
According to a local report, the data regulator’s probe determined that Worldcoin’s data collection methods are excessive and unnecessary. The PCPD stated:
Personal data will be retained for up to 10 years to train the artificial intelligence model for the identity verification process. The PCPD believes the retention period is excessive.
The probe also concluded that residents participating in Worldcoin’s iris scanning activities were not fully informed of their legal rights and the law’s stance on methods used to access and correct personal data. In addition, the PCPD alleged that Worldcoin did not provide its privacy statement and biometric data consent form in the local language.
Regarding the competencies of Worldcoin staff at various data collection points, the regulator noted that the staff routinely failed to inform participants of the risks associated with disclosing biometric information.
Meanwhile, the media report revealed that the PCPD had obtained a court order allowing it to enter or visit the data collection points in late January. Before that, the Hong Kong regulator had visited six data collection points about ten times between December and January. According to Worldcoin, 8,302 residents had their irises scanned since Worldcoin began operating in Hong Kong.
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