Already Operating Since 2021, World Pockets 500 Thousand Data Cuts Indonesian Users' Eyes

JAKARTA - Based on the results of a meeting with the Tools for Humanity, the company behind the World project, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) said that the company had been operating since 2021.

"We have summoned and clarified with representatives of Tools for Humanity (TFH) which oversees three word services on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, to ask for an in-depth explanation of various aspects of operational and legal compliance with World App, WorldCoin, and World ID services," said Director General of Digital Space Supervision of the Ministry of Komdigi Alexander Sabar, at the Ngopi Bareng Komdigi event, on Friday, May 9.

During the meeting, Komdigi discussed the explanation of the business flow and ecosystem of TFH products, assessment of TFH compliance with personal data protection regulations in Indonesia, as well as the practice of providing financial incentives in personal data collection.

Komdigi also found that until now, World has collected more than 500 thousand retinal eye data from the Indonesian people. This data collection has actually been done since 2021.

With this large number, Komdigi demanded the World to explain about the security of user biometric data, especially the collection of retinal and retinal code data, as well as their compliance with registration obligations as PSE.

Because based on the results of the initial search, Alex said that PT. Terang Bulan Abadi has not been registered as an Electronic System Operator (PSE) and does not have TDPSE as required in the legislation. On the other hand, Worldcoin services are recorded as using TDPSE in the name of another legal entity, namely PT. Sandina Abadi Nusantara.

"Here we emphasize that the results of this clarification will be discussed internally and followed up through technical analysis of applications as well as a review of privacy policies from Tools for Humanity," said Alex further.

Currently, TFH has stopped all of their retinal scanning activities previously carried out by 6 of their operators in Indonesia, including in the Bekasi, Depok and Senayan areas. Later, the official decision and evaluation results from the World will be announced in the near future.

"The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs is committed to protecting the rights of public privacy and ensuring that every electronic system organizer complies with applicable regulations, particularly regarding the safety and ethics of managing personal data," said Alex.