Worldcoin (WLD) recently faced more regulatory scrutiny after halting its operations in Spain. Its developer, Tools For Humanity (TFH), has agreed to extend the operational pause in the country as part of the ongoing investigation regarding the company’s data collection and processing.
On Thursday, the project revealed that a recent survey showed nearly 90% of its users in Spain support Worldcoin’s return to the country.
87% Of Spanish Users Support Worldcoin’s Return
This week, Tools For Humanity announced it would voluntarily halt its operations in Spain for the rest of the year. This move would allow the Bayerische Landesamt für Datenschutzaufsicht (BayLDA) to complete its audit regarding the company’s compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
TFH committed to extending its operational pause in the country through the end of 2024 or until the BayLDA consultation process concludes. In March, the Spanish Agency for Data Protection (AEPD) issued a precautionary measure ordering the ceasing of the collection and processing of personal data related to the Worldcoin Project.
On June 6, TFH unveiled the results of a 24-hour survey conducted at the end of May. Via the World ID app, TFH asked 21,000 verified World ID holders several questions related to Worldcoin, proof of humanness, biometrics, and data privacy collection.
According to the survey, 3 out of 4 respondents considered that Worldcoin could “help create a safer and more secure internet.” The positive response accounted for 73% of the surveyed, while another 20% stated they were unsure.
82% of the respondents agreed that technologies “such as Worldcoin/World ID are important for distinguishing between humans and bots online,” while 13% stated they were unsure. Moreover, 81% of the surveyed answered they felt safe using Worldcoin, and 87% “strongly support the return of Worldcoin operation in the country.”
Proof of Humaness Survey in Spain. Source: Worldcoin
Thomas Scott, TFH’s CLO, expressed his view on the survey and the regulatory compliance in Spain, stating:
While it is encouraging that, in a recent survey of World ID users in Spain, more than 80% of the 21,000 respondents said they believe technologies like World ID are important to distinguish between bots and humans online and nearly 90% of them support the project’s return to Spain, we voluntarily offered to extend pausing orb operations in the country.
Global Compliance And Adoption
In the announcement, TFH highlighted the global feedback it has received. The recent surveys in Peru, Mexico, and Colombia suggest that around 80% of respondents support proof of humanness to combat online fraud and identity theft.
The results hint at a growing concern about bots, fraud, and misinformation online. The surveyed people seem to consider that technology that proves humanness online is “essential” for the future. Additionally, they stated that they feel safer consuming content they know was generated by a human and want technology to differentiate it.
The Worldcoin project’s global reach has also been met with scrutiny worldwide. As reported by Bitcoinist, Hong Kong’s Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) served an enforcement notice to Worldcoin asking it to cease operations.
The enforcement concluded the investigation launched by the PCPD in January for being a “risk to personal data privacy.” Similarly, the project has faced regulatory scrutiny from countries like Germany, Kenya, and France.
At the time of this writing, WLD’s price has decreased by 2.3% and 4.3% in the daily and weekly timeframes, respectively.
WLD's price performance in the one-week chart. Source: WLDUSDT on TradingView