Digital identity project World, co-founded by Sam Altman, is suffering a major setback in Southeast Asia. Thai authorities demand immediate deletion of biometric data of more than a million users. A decision which revives the debate on the protection of privacy in the era of artificial intelligence.
In brief
- Thai authorities demand immediate deletion of 1.2 million iris scans collected by World.
- The company must suspend all its activities in the country for alleged violation of data protection law.
- World disputes these accusations while complying with the demands, claiming to scrupulously respect local legislation.
- The WLD token lost 6% in one week and is down 70% over the year.
Worldcoin forced to erase its biometric data in Thailand
The Economic and Social Development Council of Thailand hit hard on Monday. The organization, the true armed arm of the kingdom's strategic planning, ordered World to immediately cease its operations.
The reason given? A blatant violation of local data protection law. World's system is based on a simple principle: scanning users' irises in exchange for WLD tokens.
A mechanism which has attracted 1.2 million Thais, but which now poses a major legal problem.
The regulators' offensive is not from yesterday. Last October, a police raid had already targeted one of World's digitization centers in Bangkok. Suspicions then focused on possible violations of the legislation on digital assets.
This time, it is the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society which is stepping up to the plate with a clear directive: destroy all biometric data collected.
World Thailand, locally operated by TIDC Worldverse, announced on Sunday X the suspension of its verifications. However, the company maintains its line of defense.
“ This decision comes despite our compliance with local laws and regulations “, she said. A posture which reveals the yawning gap between the legal interpretation of the company and that of the Thai authorities.
The platform emphasizes the negative impact for millions of users who relied on this technology to protect themselves against fraud and identity theft.
An escalating global controversy
The Thai case is only the tip of the iceberg. Since its launch in July 2023 under the name Worldcoin, the project has accumulated regulatory setbacks. Indonesia launched an investigation last May for suspicious activities.
Germany, Kenya and Brazil have also sounded the alarm over biometric data security. This growing distrust reflects a global concern: how to guarantee the confidentiality of information as sensitive as the iris print?
World strives to reassure by affirming that it never stores scans on the Orb, the capture device. According to the company, only a unique and anonymized code is generated.
“ World does not use centralized biometric infrastructure », insisted the company last May. An argument that struggles to convince regulators, who are clearly not very sensitive to the technical promises of anonymization.
The market sanctions this accumulation of turbulence. The WLD token is currently trading at $0.71, down 6% over seven days. Even more revealing: the 70% drop recorded over the past year. These figures reflect the concern of investors in the face of an economic model constantly questioned by the authorities.
The Thai suspension could well mark a turning point for World. Does Sam Altman, already under pressure with OpenAI, really have the resources to wage a global regulatory battle on biometric data? Thailand probably won't be the last country to close its doors. Between technological innovation and respect for privacy, World will have to decide – or risk disappearing in the face of growing global distrust.
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