World, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's digital identification project, has secured $135 million in funding from Andreessen Horowitz and Bain Capital Crypto. This capital is intended to enhance the network of iris-scanning orbs and related infrastructure in the United States and globally. Currently, over 12.5 million individuals in more than 160 jurisdictions have obtained a World ID. The project aims to provide 'proof of personhood' through biometric data collection, but it is facing significant regulatory challenges. Countries like Brazil and Indonesia have imposed bans, with concerns over privacy and informed consent. Brazil's National Data Protection Authority has raised issues about the project's cryptocurrency incentives for biometric data collection, while Indonesia's Ministry of Communications has suspended activities due to registration failures as digital asset service providers. The discussions on ethics and legality around biometric data usage are ongoing, with regulatory scrutiny intensifying, especially in relation to European data protection standards.

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