China Flags Worldcoin-Style Iris Scanning as National Threat
The Chinese government has issued a strong warning against Worldcoin-style iris scanning, calling it a potential national security threat. Meanwhile, global concerns continue to grow about how crypto projects collect, store, and possibly misuse biometric data.
To provide context, Worldcoin—launched by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman—uses a device called the Orb to scan users’ irises in exchange for tokens. The goal is to create a decentralized identity system based on biometric verification. However, critics argue that this raises serious concerns about privacy, surveillance, and national sovereignty.
As expected, China has joined the growing list of nations voicing concern. Officials say large-scale biometric data collection—especially involving sensitive markers like irises—poses a real risk to public safety.
According to local sources, Chinese cybersecurity experts believe foreign actors could misuse iris data collected through Worldcoin-style scanning. They warn that bad actors may use it for foreign influence campaigns, identity theft, or mass surveillance.
Why China (and Others) Are Concerned About Iris-Based Crypto Projects
Clearly, biometric crypto projects like Worldcoin are under increased global scrutiny. Governments across the world are questioning the long-term risks of iris scanning and digital identity tokenization.
To understand China’s position, here are the key concerns behind its opposition to Worldcoin-style iris scanning:
Data Sovereignty
Officials worry that foreign platforms may export biometric data. This could weaken national control over citizens’ personal information.
National Security Risks
Governments fear entities could exploit large biometric datasets—like iris scans—for espionage, surveillance, or AI training without user consent.
Transparency Issues
Critics claim that Worldcoin doesn’t clearly explain how it stores data, who can access it, or how long it retains user information.
Jurisdictional Control
When companies store data on foreign servers, local authorities lose control over how that data is protected or used.
Worldcoin says it converts iris scans into encrypted “iris codes” to protect user privacy. Still, regulators remain skeptical. As a result, privacy concerns continue to rise among experts and lawmakers.
Will More Countries Ban or Regulate Iris Scanning?
Following China’s warning, many analysts believe more countries will take a closer look at biometric crypto projects. Some may ban them altogether. Others may enforce strict compliance and data protection standards.
This shift in regulation could affect Worldcoin and similar platforms in several important ways:
- Limited user access in countries like China, India, and across the EU
- New laws governing the collection and use of iris and facial scans
- Stricter oversight on Web3 digital identity platforms
- Slower rollout of biometric-driven dApps and services
In short, China’s warning sends a clear message: governments now view biometric data as a protected national asset.
What This Means for Web3 and Identity Projects
Using iris scans for decentralized identity may sound like a promising idea. However, it remains a controversial one. As Web3 continues to grow, projects must strike a balance between innovation, privacy, and regulatory compliance.
Biometric onboarding does offer ease of use. Still, it comes with significant risks—especially when users don’t know where their data goes or how it’s used.
China’s firm response reflects a broader global reality. Most governments aren’t ready to trade privacy for convenience, even in the name of progress. Therefore, Worldcoin and similar projects must rethink how they manage sensitive data if they want global adoption.
In conclusion, failure to address these issues could lead to bans, lawsuits, or rejection from major international markets.