Worldcoin has been unsuccessful in obtaining an injunction against a temporary suspension imposed by Spain’s data protection authority, the AEPD.
The authority used emergency powers granted by the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to issue the local order, which can remain in effect for up to three months, according to a report from TechCrunch .
The AEPD stated that the suspension was a precautionary measure due to concerns about the sensitive biometric data collected by Worldcoin, which could potentially pose a high risk to individuals’ rights and freedoms.
It also raised specific concerns regarding the potential risks to minors, based on received complaints.
Today, a Madrid-based High Court, declined to grant an injunction against the AEPD’s order, emphasizing the need to prioritize the protection of public interest.
As previously reported, Worldcoin ceased its scanning operations shortly after receiving the AEPD order, which mandated compliance within 72 hours.
With the court’s decision, Worldcoin’s services will remain suspended in Spain for a period of up to three months.
In its appeal against the AEPD’s order, Tools for Humanity, the operator of Worldcoin, argued that the Spanish authority had exceeded its jurisdiction in invoking the GDPR’s Article 66 “urgency procedure.”
Tools for Humanity also highlighted the absence of any interventions by the German data protection authority, which serves as the lead authority under the GDPR’s cross-border oversight mechanism.
However, the court determined that the AEPD’s suspension order was justified due to the risks associated with biometric data and the potential impact on individuals, including children.
The court also expressed
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