China Exposes Foreign Crypto Surveillance Scheme: Iris-Scanning Tech Weaponized in Digital Espionage
Beijing drops a bombshell allegation—foreign actors are exploiting cryptocurrency networks to deploy biometric surveillance. Iris-scanning tech meets blockchain in a dystopian mashup.
How it works: Covert ops allegedly use crypto transactions to fund and mask global iris-scanning operations. Privacy coins? Not private enough.
The finance jab: Meanwhile, Wall Street still can't decide if Bitcoin is a currency or a 'store of value'—while authoritarian regimes apparently found its real use case.
Crypto Token Incentives Used to Collect Iris Data, China Ministry Says
World, formerly known as Worldcoin, offers crypto tokens in exchange for users’ iris scans. The company claims the scans help verify a user’s unique identity and enable digital financial access, particularly in underserved markets. However, World was not explicitly named in the MSS advisory.
Cryptonews has reached out to World for comment on the matter.
The ministry described a case in which a foreign company allegedly used the issuance of cryptocurrency tokens as a pretext to scan and collect iris data from users around the world. This data was then transferred overseas, according to the statement, raising red flags for national and individual security.
Officials Link Biometric Data Leaks to National Security Threats
Biometric identification technologies, the ministry noted, have gained rapid traction in recent years. Used for their speed and accuracy, these systems collect and process facial features, fingerprints, irises and even body movements. While these tools offer convenience, the ministry warned that the risk of data leaks and misuse has also grown significantly.
Officials cited cases in which foreign spies forged biometric information to gain access to classified materials or infiltrate sensitive workplaces. In another example, a fingerprint payment system linked to a corporate database was repeatedly breached due to lax cybersecurity, resulting in major data leaks.
Further, the ministry said that iris patterns are especially sensitive. They are highly stable and nearly impossible to replicate, making them valuable for authentication in high-security environments. Their uniqueness, however, also makes them a prime target for malicious actors, the ministry said.
China Warns Citizens to Scrutinize Biometric Data Practices
The warning comes as biometric systems continue to expand across sectors ranging from finance to border control. In this context, the ministry urged the public to remain cautious when handing over biometric data, especially for services involving facial, fingerprint or iris recognition.
Citizens, the statement said, have the right to ask data collectors to explain how personal information will be stored, processed and used. The ministry also advised individuals to review privacy policies carefully and to stay alert for signs of excessive data collection.
Although the ministry refrained from proposing new regulations, its statements reflect growing unease within China’s security establishment regarding the convergence of digital identity technologies and cross-border data transfers.