More and more Argentines are approaching the 250 positions that Worldcoin established throughout the country to access the scanning your iris in exchange for cryptocurrency. The spread of the digital currency, owned by OpenIA, is part of a global quest by the artificial intelligence company to build the “world‘s largest” financial and identification network.
But because it collects sensitive biometric data, the strategy motivated numerous investigations and suspensions in several countries, unlike what is happening in Argentina, where the call sweeps in line with the economic crisis, inflation and the adjustment of the middle and middle sectors. low. At such a level that since the beginning of the year it has already exceeded 500 thousand adherents Argentines who agreed to scan their irises in exchange for cryptocurrency bonuses, at the moment valued at $80.
A biometric data scanning device in exchange for the Worldcoin cryptocurrency in Buenos Aires.
This scenario gained notoriety in recent months, when huge lines were seen at several Worldcoin stands located in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area, staffed by young operators equipped with one or two biometric data scanning devices.
“I do it because I don’t have a penny, there is no other reason,” said Juan Sosa, 64, a martial arts teacher. “I didn’t want to do it, but because of my age, no one gives me a job, and I need the money,” the man added in conversation with AFP, while he remained for a few seconds in front of a silver sphere with a camera built into one of the 250 “orbs” (stalls) installed throughout the country.
From the company that “scans” the iris they assure: “We are not going to sell or transfer the data to companies or governments”
“There are people who are having a very bad time, whose salary is not enough, that’s why they do these things,” said Miriam Marrero, a 42-year-old supermarket cashier, while pointing to the “orb” that has just scanned her for the same purpose: get money in exchange.
The testimonies give an idea of why Argentina is one of the countries where OpenAI’s unusual cryptocurrency strategy has most permeated, which already has a database made up of the iris of a total of 2 million people from all over the worldof which the country participates in a 15 percent, according to data published by the company.
What is Worldcoin
Worldcoin, co-founded in 2023 by Sam Altman, is a cryptocurrency equipped with an iris-based identity verification system. Once the user scans and completes the validation of their identity, they can have the tokens provided by the application in their virtual wallet.
The company is closely monitored by regulators in several countries. Kenya, Spain and then Portugal successively ordered Worldcoin suspend biometric data collection until completing their investigations. But Worldcoin sweeps Argentinaa country with more than 40% poor and an inflation of 211% that is also undergoing a brutal adjustment ordered by Javier Milei’s government.
Amid the concern, Altman’s company came out to clarify that it is not a “transaction” of iris for money, but the final intention of Worldcoin is to take the first steps towards construction of “the world‘s largest financial and identification network.” a sort of digital passport which would work thanks to the blockchain, allowing users to prove their identity online without sharing other personal data.
The company ensures that the data is protected with “highly advanced security features” and that “Worldcoin Foundation and its collaborator Tools for Humanity (NdR: the company behind the cryptocurrency) have never sold, do not sell and will not sell any personal data, including biometrics.”
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For his part, Tiago Sada, Product manager at “Tools for Humanity,” said the company has an “open dialogue” with regulators in each country regarding “financial and privacy aspects.” Furthermore, he told AFP that investigations in different countries “to verify that commitments are fulfilled are perfectly normal”, such as the one carried out in Argentina by the Agency for Access to Public Information (AAIP).
Between necessity and curiosity
Several experts warned about the sensitivity of biometric data such as the iris, which is unique to each human being and “ultrasensitive.” “I don’t think people don’t understand the implications at all; they just They do it out of necessity. And also there is still a very optimistic issue and a magic that is generated by the world, a curiosity“warned Natalia Zuazo, specialist in technology policies and director of the digital consulting firm Salto Agencia.
Beyond moral issues, the economic incentive becomes the axis of Argentines’ motivation to agree to voluntarily provide this type of information. “He iris It is something that cannot be changed and I do not know who has that data, that’s what scares me“commented Ulises Herrera, a 20-year-old student.
Cryptocurrency on the couch
“I have been giving my personal information to a lot of companies for years, at least they are going to give me money,” said a 33-year-old musician who has just taken an appointment to scan his iris in the city of Buenos Aires.
Zuazo, meanwhile, characterized Worldcoin as a “messianic attempt at digital identity.” “If you look at the map, they obviously go to countries in crisis, to the poorest countries, because people are more predisposed to make these exchanges,” he concluded.
CD/Gi