Worldcoin, a project initially criticized by Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin for privacy concerns, has earned his praise for its recent efforts in data minimization.
Buterin Acknowledges Improvement
In a March 29 social media post, Buterin expressed his appreciation for Worldcoin‘s commitment to addressing privacy issues. He commended their progress in reducing the amount of data required by the system, stating:
“[Worldcoin] actually has been doing quite a good job of taking the privacy critiques seriously and designing their system to be more and more data-minimal. Modern cryptography is truly amazing.”
This marks a significant change in stance for Buterin, who was a vocal critic of Worldcoin’s design upon its launch in 2023. Back then, he highlighted potential data leaks and the collection of sensitive user information as vulnerabilities.
Privacy Concerns Lead to Regulatory Scrutiny
Worldcoin, which has ties to investor Sam Altman, has faced privacy-related controversies in several countries. Regulatory bodies in Portugal and Spain recently imposed temporary bans on the project’s data collection activities due to concerns about insufficient user disclosure and unauthorized collection of data from minors.
Worldcoin Emphasizes Transparency and Security
Worldcoin co-founder Alex Blania addressed these concerns in a March 28 social media post. He outlined the project’s efforts to enhance transparency and security:
Open-sourcing core software components of their ORB technology
Introducing features that grant users control over their data usage
Implementing age verification measures (redundant app confirmations, verbal confirmation from operators, and physical signage) with plans for further technical solutions
Blania emphasized Worldcoin’s commitment to being “the most private, open, and secure system of its kind,” highlighting its growing user base of nearly 5 million people across 120 countries.
Worldcoin’s response to privacy concerns and its focus on data minimization seem to be winning over critics and attracting users. However, it remains to be seen if these efforts will be enough to completely address regulatory anxieties and ensure the project’s long-term success.
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