France’s privacy watchdog CNIL has expressed doubts about the legality of the biometric data collection practices of Worldcoin, a new cryptocurrency project founded by OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman.

Worldcoin requires users to submit an iris scan in exchange for a digital ID and in certain countries free cryptocurrency.

Describing itself as an Ethereum-based “new, collectively owned global currency that will be distributed fairly to as many people as possible”, Worldcoin’s website says it has signed up more than two million users over the past two years, with the majority in its trial phase.

The company has created sign-up sites in various global locations including London wherein an “orb” scans a user’s iris to generate a digital ID.

CNIL told Reuters that the legality of this collection “seems questionable”, as well as the conditions for storing biometric data.

The French watchdog has said it plans to investigate the company further, while the UK’s Information Commissioner’s office also told Reuters "we note the launch of Worldcoin in the UK and will be making further enquiries”.

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