Brazil bans Sam Altman's tech firm Tools for Humanity from paying for iris scans

25/1/2025 13:25

Brazil's data protection authority ruled that tech firm Tools for Humanity, co-founded 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.