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The Risks of Iris Scanning for Cryptocurrency in Peru
- Lennin Cenas points out that cybercriminals could use iris biometric data to impersonate identities.
- Investigations in several countries question Worldcoin over concerns about privacy and biometric data security.
In Peru, consumer protection experts have raised serious concerns about the practice of iris scanning in exchange for cryptocurrency rewards, drawing attention to the significant risks associated with sharing such sensitive biometric data.
Jaime Delgado, a Peruvian lawyer and consumer advocate, expressed strong opposition to the method used by Worldcoin Projectcomparing it to “sell your organs”.
Delgado highlighted the dangers of exchanging crucial personal information for minor economic benefits, suggesting that such an exchange could pose a serious threat to one’s future security.
“Selling the iris of your eye for a few cents or your biometric identity is like selling your organs”
Delgado said, highlighting the lack of guarantees that the data will not be misused in the future.
The controversial cryptocurrency initiative continues to be criticized across Latin America. In Peru, particularly in the Miraflores, Surco and Lince districts of Lima, people are drawn to scanning their irises with devices known as Orbs.
These locations see a daily influx of over 500 people, each hoping to gain a handful WLD Tokensworth approximately 180 Peruvian soles.
however, the use of such biometric data raised alarms about possible abuse. Lennin Cenas, an engineer specializing in artificial intelligence, warned that cybercriminals could exploit iris data for identity theft.
“The iris code is unique and lasts a lifetime. As artificial intelligence continues to advance, it is unclear what may happen in the future or how much the technology will evolve,” Cenas explained, underlining the importance of protecting such personal information.
The implications of these privacy concerns are widespread, with several countries, including Chile, Mexico, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Kenya, Nigeria, Argentina, Spain, South Korea, Hong Kong and Portugal launching investigations into Worldcoin.
In some cases, such as in Spain and Portugal, authorities have even moved to expel the project over privacy issues and concerns about minors’ participation in iris scanning.
Despite assurances from Worldcoin executives that iris data is not stored and used only to verify human identities, skepticism remains. They have pledged to erase all traces of data from the scanning devices, but the controversy continues, highlighting a global apprehension about the safety and ethical implications of such technology.
In Chile, despite criticism, authorities are considering collecting biometric data from residents “for verification,” arguing that it is safer to entrust such sensitive information to governments rather than private companies.