China Warns of Security Risks in Iris Data Collection by Crypto Firm

China's Ministry of State Security has raised alarms over a foreign cryptocurrency company allegedly harvesting iris scan data under the pretext of token distribution. The undisclosed firm, widely speculated to be Worldcoin, is accused of transmitting biometric data overseas, posing risks of identity theft, fraud, and state surveillance.

Authorities highlighted recent breaches involving fingerprint payment systems as evidence of vulnerabilities in biometric security. The warning comes amid growing concerns about foreign intelligence operations exploiting facial and iris recognition technologies to infiltrate secure systems.

Chinese law mandates strict protections for biometric data, with officials emphasizing the national security implications of such data collection. The ministry's statement serves as both a public warning and a reaffirmation of China's regulatory stance on digital identity technologies.