In a dramatic turn of events, the Thai government has put the brakes on Sam Altman’s ambitious Worldcoin project, demanding the immediate suspension of operations and the permanent deletion of iris scans collected from a staggering 1.2 million individuals. This move, publicized by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between regulators and this highly scrutinized digital identity initiative.
The order is the result of a thorough evaluation by the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), which concluded that Worldcoin’s innovative but controversial iris-for-token model infringed upon Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). As countries worldwide grapple with the implications of digital identity systems, Thailand is making a bold stance to safeguard its citizens’ biometric data.
The announcement unraveled following a high-level meeting led by MDES Minister Chaichanok Chidchob. Among the attendees were senior officials from the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) and the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA). They presented their findings, explaining how Worldcoin’s iris scanning procedures in exchange for its WLD tokens contravened laws meant to protect sensitive biometric information.
This latest enforcement action is Thailand’s most robust response to Worldcoin thus far. It follows an earlier raid in October that targeted a Worldcoin iris scanning facility in Bangkok, highlighting the country’s serious concerns over the project’s operations. During that raid, conducted collaboratively by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, law enforcement discovered that operators were providing unlicensed digital asset exchange services for WLD tokens, which placed users at significant risk of fraud and money laundering.
🚨 The Thai SEC raids @worldcoin hub over allegations of operating without a license for $WLD token exchanges. #Worldcoin #WLD #Thailand https://t.co/NAPWjpIDa5— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) October 24, 2025
In light of these developments, Worldcoin Thailand has announced a halt to all verification processes and removed the country from its active Orb location list. The company expressed disappointment, asserting that it had adhered to local regulations and lamenting the ramifications for the millions of users who sought the platform’s protection against identity theft, scams, and other forms of fraud. Despite this setback, Worldcoin remained committed to communicating with MDES and PDPC to seek a resolution.
Thailand is not the only nation raising eyebrows at Worldcoin’s methods. Since its inception in 2023, the project has encountered regulatory roadblocks in several countries, including Kenya, Spain, Portugal, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Brazil, and Colombia. Critics have voiced concerns about the project’s approach to incentivizing users financially, arguing that it compromises genuine consent for the relinquishment of sensitive biometric identifiers. Multiple jurisdictions have instituted temporary suspensions or even outright bans on the project, accentuating the widespread unease surrounding biometric data handling.
Privacy advocates around the globe have pointed to the inherent sensitivity of iris data, highlighting that such information cannot be altered if compromised, posing long-term risks to personal privacy. The European Union’s stringent General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has classified even anonymized iris codes as personal data, mandating stricter compliance than what Worldcoin initially showcased.
In response to intensifying scrutiny, Worldcoin’s developers have introduced new privacy-centric features designed to address these global concerns. The initiative has begun transitioning to a Secure Multi-Party Computation system that encrypts biometric information and stores it across multiple locations. Furthermore, it has unveiled an updated Orb device featuring enhanced transparency tools and alternative non-biometric verification methods utilizing passports and NFC technology.
👁️ @worldcoin World ID surpasses 100 million uses across third-party apps despite WLD token down 89% from $11.74 ATH amid mounting global regulatory pressures.#Worldcoin #WLD https://t.co/M1Bc2CoG4E— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) June 26, 2025
As the regulatory tide rises, Worldcoin continues to broaden its horizons, recently launching its World ID service in the United States and the Philippines, while boasting over 37 million users of the World App. With more than 100 million verifications completed across 160 countries, the project remains a contentious yet intriguing player in the realm of digital identity and cryptocurrency.
As this situation unfolds, many are left pondering: could there be a balance between innovation in digital identity and safeguarding personal privacy? The path ahead will surely influence not only the future of Worldcoin but also set precedents in digital identity systems worldwide. Stay tuned as we keep you updated on this evolving story!