MOJ, MDES, and DSI updated on the case of World Coin iris scan to collect sensitive personal data

MOJ, MDES, and DSI updated on the case of World Coin iris scan to collect sensitive personal data

          On January 30, 2026, at 3:00 PM, at the Government Complex Building C, Meeting Room 204, Police Major General Rutthapon Naowarat, Minister of Justice (MOJ); Mr. Chaichanok Chidchob, Minister of Digital Economy and Society (MDES); Mr. Patchara Anuntasilpa, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society; Police Major Yutthana Praedam, Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI); Police Captain Surawoot Rungsai, Deputy Director-General of the DSI; Mr. Withawat Sukantharos, Director of the DSI’s Narcotics Crime Bureau; Police Colonel Surapong Plengkham, Secretary-General of the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC); Mrs. Pornanong Budsaratragoon, Secretary-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); and relevant officials attended the press conference updating the progress of the verification the production procedures of the MOU signed between the MDES and a foreign capital group and the progress of the investigation into the case regarding the scanning of citizens' irises in exchange for cryptocurrency. Irises, sensitive personal information, of over 1.2 million Thai citizens have already been scanned.

          The case follows a referral from the Office of the PDPC regarding the scanning of irises in exchange for the "Worldcoin" cryptocurrency. Expert analysis confirmed that iris data constitutes sensitive personal information, which requires explicit and clear consent before collection. The investigation revealed evidence indicating that the most participants who had their irises scanned were incentivized by the promise of the cryptocurrency named "Worldcoin" (WLD) while they misunderstood or unaware of the required consent.

          The irises scanning was a process required by the application only. It is possible that the request for consent was vague or distorted so that the participant could not fully understand. The DSI’s investigation revealed the aforementioned and the facts that the companies behind the project is linked to the MOU signed between the MDES and the Prime Opportunity Fund VCC. These companies is also connected to the Thailand International Digital Business & Finance Centre (TIDC) project.

          Moreover, the investigation into the iris-scanning project also found irregularities in the structural management and distribution of cryptocurrency benefits received from abroad. As a potential violation of Section 14 of the Computer Crimes Act, B.E. 2550 (2007) and its amendments, an offense under the DSI’s authority, the DSI Director-General approved this case as the special case no. 148/2568. Meanwhile, the MDES has reviewed the signing of the MOU between the state and foreign private sectors and found evidence that the implementation did not comply with the MOU’s terms, alongside other critical evidence that has now been handed over to the DSI as stated in the press conference and submission of evidence to the DSI.

          The special case inquiry officials will continue to investigate any further criminal offenses identified during this process. If the investigation discover that government officials were involved in any wrongdoing, the case will be under the authority of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in accordance with the Organic Act on Anti-Corruption, B.E. 2561 (2018). The DSI will continue the legal proceedings to uncover the truth, protect the rights of the public, and safeguard national interests.

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