Worldcoin: ChatGPT boss's crypto project that scans people's eyeballs being looked at by UK regulator

 Worldcoin launched on Monday in cities including London, where pop-up sites had people queuing up to scan their eyeballs using a silver orb. They receive some free cryptocurrency in return, and it's said to be the basis of a new form of digital ID designed for the AI era.The UK data watchdog is looking into a cryptocurrency scheme launched by OpenAI boss Sam Altman that offers digital coins in exchange for eyeball scans.

It comes after the billionaire entrepreneur, whose artificial intelligence company created ChatGPT, helped launch Worldcoin in cities around the world on Monday.The project gives people the chance to stare into a silver orb - which takes an iris scan - to receive free tokens.

Mr Altman described it as a "global financial and identity network based on proof of personhood", which he said is "especially important in the AI era".

But it has been criticised as dystopian, as well as posing potential security risks.

The Information Commissioner's Office, which upholds UK data privacy rights, said it would examine the business.

"We note the launch of Worldcoin in the UK and will be making further enquiries," a spokesperson added.