Odaily News World was banned in Brazil after appeals to the country's data regulator fell on deaf ears. Last month, Brazil's National Data Protection Agency (ANPD) ordered a crackdown on it, fearing the project could influence consumer behavior. Its guidelines state that consent to process biometric data "must be free, informed and unambiguous." There are also concerns that sensitive information collected from the public cannot be deleted later because consumers cannot revoke consent.
World had requested 45 days to change its app and stop offering financial compensation. But that request was rejected, with the regulator arguing that World could simply postpone iris scan appointments until the necessary changes were made. World has been given 10 business days to formally confirm the suspension of cryptocurrency payments.
In a statement, World said it "respects the decision of the ANPD" and that its stores in Brazil will remain open "to provide education and information to the public," and apologized to consumers who wanted to join the program, but stressed that it "remains committed to complying with the laws of the markets in which it operates." (Decrypt)