Thousands of Argentines are participating in an online biometrics project by having their irises scanned in exchange for cryptocurrency tokens, part of the Worldcoin initiative led by Sam Altman of OpenAI. This project, aimed at creating a digital identification system using iris data, has gained significant traction in Argentina, with half a million people participating since its launch last July.

The process involves individuals staring into an iris-scanning orb at designated locations across Argentina, with volunteers providing only their iris data and receiving 10 tokens of Worldcoin's cryptocurrency, WLD, in return. This incentive has attracted many participants facing economic challenges in Argentina, where inflation is over 200 percent and disposable incomes are shrinking.

While the initiative promises privacy and encryption of personal data, it has raised concerns globally, with countries like Kenya, Spain, and Portugal pausing data collection pending investigations into privacy issues. Argentina's Agency for Access to Public Information is also evaluating Worldcoin's security measures to safeguard user privacy.

Despite these concerns, many participants view their involvement as a pragmatic response to economic hardship. Some express cautiousness about the use of sensitive biometric data, while others prioritize the economic benefits amid challenging financial circumstances. Worldcoin's goal of providing universal access to the global economy through digital identity and financial inclusion resonates particularly in countries experiencing economic crises.