NPC halts TFH biometrics collection

The National Privacy Commission (NPC) said it has issued a cease and desist order against Tools for Humanity (TFH), the entity behind the World App and the Orb identity verification system, for violations of the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (DPA).

- By RAINIER ALLAN RONDA

Jose Amelito Belarmino II, NPC deputy commissioner, said TFH was the group that has been enticing Filipinos to subject themselves to iris scan, face scan and other biometric data in exchange for P2,000 up to $100 (approximately P5,600) worth of WorldCoin cryptocurrency at different “collection points” in the country for some time.

Belarmino said TFH has set up 31 Orb kiosk locations where they collect people’s private data, in exchange for the WorldCoin cryptocurrency which is convertible to cash by downloading the World app.

The order, issued on Oct. 6, directs TFH to immediately cease and desist from all processing of personal information, including biometric data, related to the World App and Orb verification process, and its associated ecosystem in the Philippines.