China warnt davor, biometrische Daten als Gegenleistung für Crypto einzureichen, und deutet auf die Projektwelt von Sam Altman für die Datenerfassung hin

> Chinese authorities are warning about the dangers of sharing biometric information, such as iris data, with foreign companies in exchange for cryptocurrency, seemingly referring to the digital ID project World. **The Sam Altman-founded company allows users to claim some of its WLD digital coins after scanning their irises.**

> **Iris data are often targeted by criminals and may be collected and stolen under various pretexts**. Biometric data leaks not only affect personal privacy and security but also allow foreign intelligence agencies to obtain information on targets and infiltrate their workplaces.

> “Public cases are showing that a certain overseas company uses the issuance of cryptocurrency tokens as a gimmick to scan and collect user iris information worldwide, and transfer the data source, posing a threat to personal information security and even national security“.

> World, including its crypto wallet World App, does not have an official presence in China. The country is well-known for its negative stance towards cryptocurrency: In 2017, its government banned domestic cryptocurrency exchanges and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), citing financial risks and fraud prevention.

> China has also been **cracking down on biometric data collection in recent years**, driven by public pressure and frequent news of data leaks.

> Last year, China’s Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong, which is governed by separate laws, ordered World to cease operations after its privacy office concluded that **the company runs afoul of local data privacy regulations.** The Hong Kong Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data also staged multiple raids on World offices across the city.

> World, which recently reached 14 million verified users, has been **facing regulatory scrutiny in other markets across the world**, including Germany, Indonesia and Kenya.

When China’s the one telling you to slow down on your cyberpunk dystopia plans, you know you’re on the wrong side of history.