Spanish Data Protection Investigation Forces Worldcoin to Halt Operations

The Spanish data protection authority has announced that Worldcoin has agreed to halt its operations in Spain until the end of the year. The decision comes as the company, Tools for Humanity Corporation, is currently being investigated by the Bavarian data protection authority in Germany for its handling of personal user data. The investigation is expected to conclude soon and will involve European supervisory authorities, including those in Spain. In March 2024, Spanish authorities ordered Worldcoin to stop collecting and processing personal data in Spain as part of its Worldcoin project. During this investigation period, Worldcoin has implemented additional security measures, such as open-sourcing its biometric data system and allowing users to securely delete old iris codes. The project has faced scrutiny in various countries, including Hong Kong, where it was ordered to halt operations due to its retention of sensitive biometric data. Despite these concerns, Worldcoin has continued to grow in terms of its user base and transactions. In April 2024, it reached 10 million users and 70 million transactions. The project has also launched its own blockchain network, World Chain, which prioritizes human users and aims to enhance efficiency and real-world utility in Web3 applications. Additionally, Worldcoin has announced plans to increase the supply of its token, WLD, by up to 19% in the next six months.