São Paulo Sues World and Amazon AWS for $47 Million Over Biometric Data Collection
Lawsuit alleges abusive practices targeting economically vulnerable populations.
1Basis of the Lawsuit
The São Paulo Consumer Prosecutor's Office accuses World and Amazon AWS of targeting socioeconomically vulnerable groups in their biometric data collection activities. The companies allegedly collected iris scans in exchange for crypto rewards. The prosecution claims these practices violate consumer rights.
2Legal Proceedings
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of over 400,000 affected consumers. The prosecution demands the suspension of biometric data collection and the preservation of all collected data. Additionally, they seek $47 million in compensation for the damages suffered by consumers.
3Companies' Roles
World incentivized users by offering crypto rewards for biometric data collection. Amazon AWS provided the infrastructure for storing and processing this data. The prosecution alleges that users were not adequately informed about how their data would be used and stored.
4Regulatory Violations
Brazil's National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) banned World from making crypto payments for biometric data in 2025. However, the company allegedly continued these payments despite the ban. The prosecution emphasizes that this constitutes a regulatory violation.
5Previous Similar Cases
World faced a similar lawsuit in Argentina and was fined $200,000. The case cited the company's failure to disclose biometric data processing procedures and inadequate identity checks as reasons for the penalty.
6Outcome and Implications
This lawsuit brings the legal and ethical boundaries of biometric data collection back into focus. It highlights the need for greater transparency, especially regarding the targeting of vulnerable groups and data security. The outcome could set a precedent for similar practices.
Original article: Bitcoin News — São Paulo, World ve Amazon AWS'ye 47 Milyon Dolarlık Dava Açtı