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- Colombia orders full shutdown of Worldcoin for violating biometric data rules linked to blockchain and crypto asset operations.
- SIC mandates deletion of all databases created since 2024 after detecting unauthorized iris data collection and handling.
The Superintendence of Industry and Commerce of Colombia (SIC) has ordered the permanent suspension of operations for World Foundation and Tools for Humanity, the entities behind Worldcoin. The resolution, numbered 78798 and issued on October 3, 2025, responds to violations related to the collection and handling of biometric data in the country.
According to the SIC, both companies obtained iris scans from Colombian citizens using devices known as Orbs, without obtaining valid and informed consent. The collected data was reportedly used to train artificial intelligence systems, an activity that the authority determined as noncompliant with national privacy laws. The resolution also mandates the deletion of all biometric databases created since 2024, including encrypted iris codes and stored information on local or international servers.
The decision follows findings from the SIC’s Delegation for Personal Data Protection, which identified flaws in the companies’ security protocols and in their control of data transfers outside Colombia. The agency emphasized that the right to habeas data, a constitutional protection, must prevail over any foreign technological interest.
“We respectfully disagree with the decision issued by the SIC. This is a preliminary ruling, and World will file appeals to ensure a complete understanding of its technology,” the company said.
The case began in August 2024, after reports surfaced about establishments offering cryptocurrency payments in exchange for iris scans. Some users received up to 100,000 Colombian pesos for participating, a practice that raised questions about privacy and informed consent.
Following the resolution, World Foundation issued a statement disagreeing with the decision and asserting that it plans to appeal. The company maintained that it does not store biometric information and that participation in Worldcoin remains optional and separate from data verification.
The SIC reiterated that any international project processing Colombian citizens’ data must comply fully with local legislation, regardless of its business model or technology employed.
