Kieran CPO "Distinguishing Chatbots and Humans Important in AI Era"
"Iris Data De-Identification... Personal Information Protection"
The developer of Worldcoin, which has been investigated by regulatory authorities for collecting personal information such as iris scans, emphasized that it complies with domestic personal information protection laws. They explained that iris data is used solely for the purpose of verifying 'real humans' rather than chatbots, and that technical measures are in place to protect personal information.
On the 4th, Demian Kieran, Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) of Tools for Humanity (TFH), held a press conference at The Plaza Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, to introduce the Worldcoin project and related technologies.
Demian Kieran, Chief Privacy Officer of Tools for Humanity, is delivering the keynote speech at the '2024 AI Era Personal Information Protection Policy Press Conference' held on the 4th at the Plaza Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Tools for Humanity is a technology company developing tools for the 'Worldcoin' project. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
TFH is a company co-founded by Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. Last year, it attracted attention by launching 'Worldcoin,' a virtual asset based on iris recognition. TFH obtains individual iris data through an iris recognition device called the 'Orb,' and once verified as a real person, it generates a 'World ID.' Users can store Worldcoin in a virtual asset wallet called the 'World App' using this ID. Earlier this year, iris recognition information was collected at more than ten locations in Korea, leading to a surge in registrations.
However, in February, controversy arose over the collection of personal information, prompting an investigation by the Personal Information Protection Commission. The commission examined whether the collection and processing of sensitive information by Worldcoin complied with the Personal Information Protection Act, as well as the process of transferring personal information overseas. The investigation has been completed, and a decision on sanctions is expected soon.
Regarding this, CPO Kieran said, "It is difficult to disclose specifics, but we have had constructive dialogues with authorities over the past several months," adding, "The technology itself is very complex, so we are making efforts to help them understand it."
TFH emphasized that the Worldcoin system operates legally and that they are fully committed to protecting personal information. They stated that iris data is de-identified and transferred overseas only after user notification and consent procedures.
Specifically, the Orb obtains a code composed of 0s and 1s from the captured iris information, then encrypts and stores it in a fragmented form. Since the Orb processes all iris information internally, it does not store data on a central server. The Orb also deletes the information after processing it for about 3 to 5 seconds. According to TFH, the fragmented data structure makes it impossible to restore the original code unless all databases (DBs) are attacked.
He emphasized, "We created this system because we believe it is important to distinguish humans from chatbots in the AI era," adding, "The privacy of Worldcoin itself is our product, so we neither sell nor utilize it."
TFH uses the Worldcoin system solely to prove that users are real humans. They assess that the need to verify human identity, not AI, is increasing in online spaces such as financial transactions, email, messenger, and video conferencing. CPO Kieran added, "In Korea, resident registration numbers are used for online transactions, but this lacks global scalability," and "A more reliable identity verification tool is needed in the digital world."
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