\n<\/p>\n
In recent years, several countries in Latin America have introduced a unique device known as the Orb. This spherical technology scans irises and collects biometric data, developed by the World Foundation and led by Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI. The Orb has made its way into various public spaces, such as shopping malls and gas stations in Colombia, Chile, and Brazil.<\/p>\n
Many people are lining up to provide their biometric data in exchange for cryptocurrencies or tokens. This has led to the creation of extensive biometric databases, but not without controversy. Regulatory bodies in Chile, Brazil, and Colombia have expressed concerns about the implications of this data collection.<\/p>\n
In late 2025, Colombia\u2019s Superintendency of Industry and Commerce (SIC) ordered a halt to the operations of the World Foundation and Tools for Humanity, a move that eventually set a significant precedent in biometric regulation. Luc\u00eda Camacho from the NGO Derechos Digitales points out the potential risks involved. She emphasizes the need to question who controls this data and for what purposes.<\/p>\n
How Are These Companies Operating in Latin America?<\/strong><\/p>\n These companies typically enter local markets through logistics partners. They employ individuals or firms to manage the Orb but provide minimal training, especially regarding consent and safeguarding personal data. This lack of preparation has raised alarms, particularly concerning the registration of minors in some regions.<\/p>\n Where Does the Data Go?<\/strong><\/p>\n The Orb uses advanced facial and iris recognition technology to capture data. However, once the data is scanned, it is converted into complex codes and stored on servers primarily in the United States. The company argues that this transformation of data means they are no longer responsible for it, which poses significant issues concerning data rights.<\/p>\n Experts warn that participation is primarily driven by the financial incentive offered, not by a desire to improve technology. The compensation, labeled as “incentives,” has been criticized, especially in Brazil, where authorities argued it commodifies identity, which is against the law. Many individuals participate because they need the money, sometimes putting personal information at risk.<\/p>\n Data Deletion Challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n In Chile, some parents attempted to delete their children’s iris scan data after realizing they had registered. However, they faced legal hurdles as the company claimed it could not delete the information, citing a lack of operational presence in the country.<\/p>\n Vulnerability of Participants<\/strong><\/p>\n The program disproportionately affects economically vulnerable groups, as many users live paycheck to paycheck. Investigations revealed that many single mothers and minors were eager to register for the financial incentives. The marketing of such technology often overlooks this inequality and susceptibility.<\/p>\n Why Latin America?<\/strong><\/p>\n Latin America presents a unique landscape for biometric data collection. People here are accustomed to providing their IDs and fingerprints, unlike in places like Europe or the U.S., where data privacy regulations are stricter. Additionally, the region often struggles with enforcing data protection laws against foreign companies, making it more appealing for firms like World to operate there.<\/p>\n Regulatory Responses<\/strong><\/p>\n While some countries in the Global South, including Kenya, have taken action, Europe has seen limited investigations. The Colombian SIC\u2019s decision to suspend operations and delete collected data sets a significant standard for data protection.<\/p>\n Looking Ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n The future raises crucial questions: How will companies ensure compliance with data deletion requirements? Can authorities enforce these rules effectively? Moreover, there are concerns that this technology could be misused for surveillance purposes, especially when cooperating with governments.<\/p>\n Overall, the situation surrounding the Orb highlights an urgent need for clear policies and protections regarding biometric data to safeguard vulnerable populations while navigating technological advancements.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Rising Concerns Over Biometric Data Collection in Latin America In recent years, several countries in Latin America have introduced a unique device known as the Orb. This spherical technology scans irises and collects biometric data, developed by the World Foundation and led by Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI. The Orb has made its way<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24880,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[10373,28421,2943,3048,6272,32058],"class_list":["post-24879","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-business-news","tag-chile","tag-colombia","tag-meta","tag-openai","tag-sam-altman","tag-tinder"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24879","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24879"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24879\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24880"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24879"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24879"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/indiabulletinusa.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24879"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}