Alert on gathers of biometric details released

In a recent development, the Department of Provincial Administration has issued a nationwide alert regarding an iris-scanning device known as the Orb, which has been spotted at shopping malls across the country. The Orb, developed by Tools for Humanity Corporation, scans people's irises and rewards users with Worldcoin cryptocurrency.

The police Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) is currently assessing possible risks associated with the Orb and its use. Concerns surround data leaks exposing iris codes to hackers, impersonations in financial transactions, and cybercrimes involving the use of such biometric data to create deepfakes.

Tools for Humanity, a company co-founded by Sam Altman, the chief executive of the ChatGPT developer OpenAI, is using the Orb to promote human verification services through 11 local partners, including state-owned National Telecom. Users who complete the iris scan receive Worldcoin cryptocurrency tokens as an incentive and can then use their World ID to manage digital currencies, access platforms, and prove their identity online.

However, biometric data, particularly iris scans, are among the most sensitive personal information and cannot be changed, making them susceptible to identity theft. The government is urging citizens to be aware that trading biometric data for a small reward may not be worth the potential damage that could occur in the future.

Recruiters for these schemes receive 500 baht per referral, capped at 10 people. As of mid-June, over 100,000 people had their irises scanned via the Orb at 58 locations in Thailand.

It is important to note that the Department of Provincial Administration has stated that no state agency, including its Bureau of Registration, is involved in the collection of biometric data. Reporting suspected fraud related to iris-scanning activities can be done to provincial or district offices of the Damrongtham Centre or by calling their hotline 1567.

The company asserts that its service does not violate the country's Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). However, the government has not yet stated whether or not the Orb's use violates the PDPA.

Many countries prohibit iris data collection due to global concerns over privacy and misuse. Tools for Humanity's mission is to create digital infrastructure that is safe for humans and enables them to distinguish their online presence from bots, without compromising their privacy.

Local administrators, including village heads, have been instructed to prevent such activities in their communities. The government advises citizens to exercise caution when approached by such schemes and to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.