World, the digital identity project co-founded by Sam Altman and developed by Tools for Humanity (TFH), said Thursday it will file a motion for reconsideration with the National Privacy Commission (NPC) following a cease and desist order (CDO) that halted its Philippine operations.
Since its February launch, World has enrolled millions of Filipinos, aiming to combat the surge of AI-driven fraud, impersonation, and identity theft. The company said the CDO threatens to deprive users of vital protections and jeopardizes local employment, with over 1,000 Filipinos working across its operations, technology, and outreach.
Describing the NPC’s decision as a “setback for responsible digital innovation,” World questioned the sudden regulatory shift, particularly after what it said was a year-long, transparent compliance process involving NPC registration, DICT Sandbox participation, and consultations with data privacy experts and government bodies.
Ryuji Wolf, a local operator representing World, criticized the decision, claiming it undermines investor confidence and regulatory consistency. “This sudden change in interpretation undermines the certainty that legitimate investors rely on,” he said.
World stressed that its “proof of humanness” system does not collect personally identifiable information and ensures biometric data is anonymized and deleted within seconds. “Our system does not identify individuals. It simply verifies that they are unique humans, not bots or AI accounts,” Wolf explained.
The company remains open to regulatory engagement, reaffirming its commitment to compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and to continuing discussions with the NPC and other agencies.
“We will avail of all remedies and continue to work transparently with Philippine regulators,” Wolf added.
The motion for reconsideration is expected to be filed in the coming days.
