Biometric Data System Open-Sourced for Protection

Following up on the recent developments reported by CNF on Worldcoin Implements Personal Custody: Ends Personal Data Storage for Millions, the CoinMarketCap update highlights the increasing reliance of organizations on biometric data for security and financial services, amid rising data breaches.

On May 15, the Worldcoin Foundation announced the open-sourcing of its Secure Multi-Party Computation (SMPC) system. This advanced system encrypts iris codes into secret shares that are distributed among multiple parties, enabling the permanent deletion of the previously used iris codes for identity verification.

Pioneering Biometric Security with Open-Sourced Technology

Remco Bloemen, the head of protocol at Worldcoin Foundation, emphasized to Cointelegraph the significant security enhancements brought by the open-sourcing of the SMPC system. This initiative not only improves the robustness of Worldcoin’s protocol but also establishes a new standard in the industry. The SMPC system, designed to withstand potential threats from quantum computing, ensures advanced protection for user biometric data. Bloemen stated,

With the development and open sourcing of a new secure multi-party computation (SMPC) system, Worldcoin Foundation aims to continue to increase the robustness of the Worldcoin protocol while also setting a new standard for security.

Global Market Growth and Commitment to Compliance

The global biometric system market, as forecasted by Fortune Business Insights, is poised for substantial growth, from $30.77 billion in 2022 to $76.70 billion by 2029. This expansion coincides with a 20% increase in data breaches from 2022 to 2023, as reported by MIT’s Stuart Madnick, underscoring the critical need for secure systems like Worldcoin’s SMPC.

Jannick Preiwisch, the data protection officer at the Worldcoin Foundation, stated the organization’s dedication to meeting stringent international data protection standards such as the EU General Data Protection Regulation. The foundation’s recent measures, including providing users with personal custody of their data and the ability to revoke their World IDs, illustrate its commitment to enhancing privacy and user control. Preiwisch explained,

The development of this new system demonstrates an unparalleled commitment to further compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation and other data protection regimes across the world.

Despite previous challenges with GDPR compliance, particularly in Europe, Worldcoin has shown its commitment to regulatory adherence. In March 2024, it made the software of its iris-scanning Orb open-source and introduced a new “personal custody” privacy feature. Subsequent enhancements in April further secured user data and provided more control to users over their World IDs.

By early this year, Worldcoin had achieved a milestone with over one million active daily users for its wallet app and a significant 141% increase in its token WLD. Today, according to Coin Market Cap, Worldcoin (WLD) has seen a 4.81% increase in the past day, reaching a price of $4.91.