Philippines: National Privacy Commission opened investigation into Tools for Humanity over alleged data privacy violations

On 6 February 2025, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) began an investigation into Tools for Humanity (TFH), the entity responsible for the World App and Orb verification system. The investigation followed a series of complaints received by the Complaints and Investigation Division (CID) of the NPC raising concerns over TFH data collection practices. The reports raised concerns that World App collected personal biometric data, which, if stolen, could lead to scams. Reports also cited concerns that this was done without approval from the National Privacy Commission and the Central Bank of the Philippines, and that World App was connected to World Coin, which faced investigations in other countries. Reports also noted that World App was offering a financial incentive in exchange for the collection of biometric personal data.