Editor’s Note: BitPinas reached out to Worldcoin organizers in Bulacan for comment, but they declined to provide any official statements. They asked about the article’s flow and Web3 Bulacan’s statement but shared no further details for publication.
Web3 Bulacan, a local blockchain organization, has clarified it has no ties to the ongoing Worldcoin registration and airdrop event in Bulakan, Bulacan, amid social media reports of an iris-scanning campaign offering cryptocurrency rewards.
Why does this news matter: The statement clears up confusion about Web3 Bulacan’s role in the Worldcoin iris scanning initiative in exchange for WLD tokens, which has raised privacy concerns globally due to its reliance on biometric data collection.
Key details:
- Web3 Bulacan released an official statement distancing itself from the event, emphasizing it is not involved in organizing, managing, or facilitating the Worldcoin activities.
- The campaign, which requires iris scanning for cryptocurrency rewards, is reportedly being conducted in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Bulakan.
More information on the iris scanning:
- Circulating posts stated that the campaign will only last 26 days with no details on when it started and when it will end.
- These posts are encouraging Bulakan residents to create an account with Worldcoin and go to the verification area to complete the process and get an airdrop.
- The campaign was said to happen at Camino Real Rd, near the Evacuation Center in San Jose, Bulakan, Bulacan.
- The event was noted to be exclusive to Bulakan, Bulacan residents
- Moreover, some posts even mentioned that the airdrop starts with 45 WLD (around ₱5,400) and can increase after verification.
- Users can also invite others and get 10 WLD (approximately ₱1,200).
- All figures are at the time this article is written.
The article was written in mid-January when most activities were concentrated in Bulakan, Bulacan. While some posts suggest that the event has expanded to other cities in Bulacan, these claims remain unverified.
What Web3 Bulacan is saying:
“We would like to inform everyone that the current Worldcoin registration activities happening in Bulakan, Bulacan, are not affiliated with Web3 Bulacan in any way… If you have any questions, concerns, or inquiries regarding this activity, we strongly encourage you to direct them to the organizing team or the respective LGU for accurate information and assistance.”
Between the lines:
Despite the buzz, the Worldcoin website does not list the Philippines or Bulacan as locations with active Orb verification devices.
The backdrop:
- Worldcoin, founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, aims to preserve human identity in the age of AI but has faced criticism over its biometric data collection practices.
- The company has raised over $200 million and is distributing WLD tokens globally, but privacy concerns persist. The project claims to use advanced encryption and decentralized systems to protect user data.
What to watch next:
- Whether the campaign expands beyond Bulakan, as some unverified social media posts suggest.
Worth noting: On November 2023, Worldcoin shifted Orb Operators’ rewards from USDC stablecoins to WLD tokens to boost its token circulation and network growth.
This article is published on BitPinas: Local Group Denies Ties as Thousands Line Up to Worldcoin Iris Scans, Airdrop in Bulacan
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