The National Privacy Commission (NPC) has issued a cease and desist order against Worldcoin’s iris-scanning project in the Philippines, citing violations of the Data Privacy Act. NPC Deputy Commissioner Jose Sutton Belarmino II said Tools for Humanity (TFH), the company behind the tech, failed to secure valid consent, used financial incentives to lure participants, and did not show why iris scans were necessary over less intrusive methods.
The order requires TFH to immediately stop iris scanning, block app downloads, and halt data sharing. However, on the same day, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda expressed interest in adopting the same iris-scan tech for banking and government systems, noting its potential in aid distribution.
Worldcoin has faced bans or warnings in countries like Spain, Germany, Kenya, and China. NPC gave TFH ten days to respond or file an appeal.
Kakaiba nga din tong NPC. Hindi ko alam kung inalam ba nila o sadyang pabibo lang. Anong personal data naman ang kukunin nila sa iris scan???? Eh sa kung sa bangko iimplement yan, malamang makukuha ung bank details mo.