World In the Spotlight as China Warns of Security Risks on Iris Project

Chinese authorities have raised strong concerns over a foreign crypto project that has been collecting people’s iris data across the world. In a public statement, the authorities said this kind of activity could seriously harm personal privacy and even put national security at risk.

Chinese Authority Issues Public Warning

On August 6, China’s Ministry of State Security’s official WeChat account published a post warning. 

The post targets the growing misuse of crypto-related services to collect sensitive personal data. According to the post, documented cases show that a foreign company has been offering free crypto tokens as a way to attract users and then scan their irises.

Authorities said that the data collected is later transferred across borders, which increases the risk of misuse. Officials warned that this type of data collection and transfer poses threats to both individual privacy and national security. 

However, the post did not name the company. However, the description closely matches the activities of Worldcoin, now simply called World, led by Sam Altman. 

This warning from Beijing officials came after the financial regulator in Shenzhen issued a public warning about fake crypto platforms. These platforms pretend to sell stablecoins and other crypto assets. These scams had caused financial losses for many people, and the government warned citizens to stay alert and avoid such schemes.

Worldcoin’s Iris Scanning Project Under Global Scrutiny

Worldcoin is a crypto and digital identity project that scans people’s irises to prove they are human. The company claims that, with its advanced system, this process is safe and is used to create a secure global identity system. However, the project has faced strong criticism from regulators in different countries. 

In May, Indonesian authorities suspended Worldcoin’s operating permit after reports of suspicious activity. Officials were concerned about how the company was collecting and storing biometric data. 

Following the suspension, Tools for Humanity, the main company behind World, paused its iris-scanning services in the country. Despite some countries’ skepticism, Worldcoin continues to expand its ID services across the globe.

More Countries Focus on Data Protection

As tech companies collect more private data like fingerprints, face scans, and eye scans, countries are starting to pay more attention. 

Governments are making stricter rules to keep people’s data safe. China’s recent warning shows the rising need for better data protection and clearer rules on how companies, especially in crypto, handle sensitive information. 

This concern is growing as crypto hacks continue to rise. In the first half of 2025 alone, hackers stole a record $2.1 billion, mostly through private key exploits. 

This is not the first time China has warned its citizens about the dangers linked to cryptocurrency. The country has strict rules against crypto trading and mining activities. In recent years, it has also taken action to stop scams and fraud related to digital assets.