Worldcoin Hires Former Execs From Apple, Google, Meta, Tesla, X
Worldcoin is bringing former executives from Apple, Google, Meta, Tesla, and X on board to strengthen its security, compliance and development of Tools for Humanity.
Rich Heley, who had stints in Apple, Meta and Tesla, joins the Worldcoin team as chief device officer. His role will see him lead the design, performance and accessibility of Tools for Humanity's Orbs, which controversially scans the iris of users to verify their identity.
Damien Kieran has been appointed Tools for Humanity’s chief privacy officer, taking on a similar role to his time at X. Kieren will work with data privacy officers and regulators around the world to “shape new industry standards for compliance and privacy protections.”
“I look forward to continuing to engage with regulators and data privacy officers in the EU and around the world to answer their questions, and share information transparently and debunk common misperceptions as we continue to serve individuals by giving them greater access to financial and identity networks,” Kieran said, Coindesk reported.
Blockhead took to the streets in Singapore to get our iris scanned for some Worldcoin and to make sure we weren't robots.
— Blockhead (@blockhead_co) August 11, 2023
Things didn't go as planned but at least we proved we were humans and got something out of it...or did they get something out of us?
Here's what went down pic.twitter.com/ohLSL7hE05
Adrian Ludwig, the former Google director of Android security, takes on the role of chief information security officer at Tools for Humanity and is responsible for data security.
Ajay Patel takes on the role of head of World ID, steering the project's go-to-market strategy and enhancing the user experience. The ex-Google Payments' identity team lead is also in charge of public and private partnerships.
Last month, Worldcoin hired the former head of corporate communications at Coinbase, Elliott Suthers as the head of comms for Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Worldcoin continues to face regulatory scrutiny for its methods of data collection. Tools for Humanity claims that "proof of humanness" is required as AI becomes increasingly more powerful. However, governments are less convinced.
The Hong Kong Privacy Commissioner's Office (PCPD) found that Worldcoin violated the city's Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO).
The PCPD said it launched an investigation into Worldcoin's data collection practices earlier this year, after concerns were raised about the project's collection of sensitive biometric data, including face and iris scans. The investigation revealed that Worldcoin failed to adequately inform users about the collection of their personal data and did not obtain their informed consent.