Brazil stops Tools for Humanity paying for iris scans
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s firm aims to create a global identity system through scanning people’s irises
26 January 2025 - 16:51
byPatricia Vilas Boas and Andre Romani
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Sao Paulo — Brazil’s data protection authority ruled that tech firm Tools for Humanity, cofounded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, must stop offering compensation for iris scans in the country, it said in a statement on Friday.
The ban is a preventive measure, data protection authority ANPD said, adding that it starts from Saturday and includes compensation through cryptocurrencies.
Tools for Humanity leads the World project, which aims to create a global identity system through scanning people’s irises in exchange for cryptocurrency and a digital ID.
World’s press office in Brazil said in a statement its service complies with all Brazilian laws and regulations.
The ANPD said that providing financial compensation “may interfere with the free expression of will of individuals, by influencing the decision regarding giving their biometric data.”
ANPD also ordered Tools for Humanity — which has previously faced data collection issues with authorities from other countries, including Spain and Portugal — to identify on its website who is responsible for processing the personal data.
In its statement, World said it was in touch with ANPD to ensure Brazilians could be part of the World network.
“Recent reports with inaccuracies and social media activity have resulted in false information to ANPD,” it said, without providing further details.
ANPD’s decision is related to an investigation the authority had opened last November.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Brazil stops Tools for Humanity paying for iris scans
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s firm aims to create a global identity system through scanning people’s irises
Sao Paulo — Brazil’s data protection authority ruled that tech firm Tools for Humanity, cofounded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, must stop offering compensation for iris scans in the country, it said in a statement on Friday.
The ban is a preventive measure, data protection authority ANPD said, adding that it starts from Saturday and includes compensation through cryptocurrencies.
Tools for Humanity leads the World project, which aims to create a global identity system through scanning people’s irises in exchange for cryptocurrency and a digital ID.
World’s press office in Brazil said in a statement its service complies with all Brazilian laws and regulations.
The ANPD said that providing financial compensation “may interfere with the free expression of will of individuals, by influencing the decision regarding giving their biometric data.”
ANPD also ordered Tools for Humanity — which has previously faced data collection issues with authorities from other countries, including Spain and Portugal — to identify on its website who is responsible for processing the personal data.
In its statement, World said it was in touch with ANPD to ensure Brazilians could be part of the World network.
“Recent reports with inaccuracies and social media activity have resulted in false information to ANPD,” it said, without providing further details.
ANPD’s decision is related to an investigation the authority had opened last November.
Reuters
Former OpenAI technology chief targets funds for AI start-up, sources say
A portrait of the men at the centre of the AI revolution
OpenAI set to roll out mini reasoning AI models
Trump to announce up to $500bn AI infrastructure investment
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Trump to announce up to $500bn AI infrastructure investment
OpenAI set to roll out mini reasoning AI models
A portrait of the men at the centre of the AI revolution
Former OpenAI technology chief targets funds for AI start-up, sources say
OpenAI secures $6.6bn from investors in funding round
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.