Brazil’s National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) has reaffirmed its decision to ban what it characterizes as cryptocurrency compensation associated with the World ID project, marking a setback for Tools For Humanity’s biometric identity verification program in the country. The ruling, announced yesterday, maintains the suspension of access to cryptocurrency tokens for newly registered World IDs created through iris scans of Brazilian citizens.
The ANPD rejected Tools For Humanity’s appeal to review its earlier ban implemented in January 2025. Under the decision, the company faces daily fines of 50,000 Brazilian reais (approximately $8,800) if it resumes data collection activities in Brazil.
The agency’s investigation, which began in November 2024, focused on concerns that access to financial ‘rewards’ could compromise users’ ability to provide genuine consent for sharing sensitive biometric data. Brazilian law requires that consent for processing sensitive personal data must be “free, informed, unequivocal and specifically given for particular purposes.”
This regulatory action comes amid World ID’s broader expansion efforts across Latin America. The company had previously designated Argentina as its regional hub and launched operations in Panama, demonstrating its strategic focus on the region despite mounting regulatory challenges.
Tools For Humanity has been actively developing its technological capabilities, including a recent acquisition of Modulus Labs to enhance its zero-knowledge AI and cryptography research. The company has also secured partnerships in various sectors, such as a recent collaboration with Razer to combat AI bots in online gaming.
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March 26, 2025 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team
