Jakarta, INTI – The Ministry of Communication and Digital (Kemkomdigi) has revealed that the World App, affiliated with the cryptocurrency Worldcoin, has been collecting retinal data from Indonesian citizens since 2021.
This information was disclosed by Alexander Sabar, Director General of Digital Space Supervision at Kemkomdigi, during a press conference held in Jakarta on Friday (May 9, 2025).
"We received information that they have been collecting data in Indonesia since 2021," he stated.
Over 500,000 Retinal Scans Collected
According to Alexander, more than 500,000 retinal scans have been gathered from Indonesian users by World App. This data was collected as part of the identity verification process for its services.
World App has already obtained an Electronic System Operator Registration Certificate (Tanda Daftar PSE), which has been the basis for government oversight since the app began operating in Indonesia.
"Supervision and analysis of the operator's activities have actually been carried out from the beginning," Alexander explained.
Developer Notified for Clarification
On Wednesday (May 7), Kemkomdigi summoned representatives from Tools for Humanity (TFH), the developer of World App, to clarify its practices of collecting retinal data. One key concern was the use of cash incentives in exchange for scanning users' eyes during the verification process.
"The clarification results will be discussed internally and followed up with technical analysis of the application, as well as a review of Tools for Humanity’s privacy policy," said Alexander. He added that an official decision based on the evaluation will be announced soon.
Firm Measures to Protect Personal Data
In response to potential privacy violations, Kemkomdigi emphasized that protecting citizens' personal data remains a top priority.
"If it is found to pose a risk of data leaks or similar threats, we will take firm action to safeguard the personal data that has already been recorded," Alexander stressed.
As an initial step, Kemkomdigi has temporarily suspended World App’s Electronic System Operator Registration Certificate. In addition, TFH is reported to have halted all retinal scanning activities in Indonesia, which were previously conducted by six of its local operators.
Conclusion
Kemkomdigi’s disclosure regarding World App’s retinal data collection since 2021 highlights the urgent need for strict oversight of digital practices involving sensitive information. The government's swift response from summoning the developer to freezing its registration reflects a strong commitment to protecting personal data. Moving forward, comprehensive evaluation of apps like World App will be crucial to maintaining data sovereignty in the digital era.