Sam Altman’s controversial iris-scanning company Worldcoin promoted a partnership with Bruno Mars that never existed. The company suggested they had a deal with the pop star, but Mars’ team says they were never contacted about any partnership.
Worldcoin has been scanning people’s eyeballs with silver orbs in exchange for cryptocurrency. The company has faced criticism for collecting biometric data from people around the world, often in developing countries where people may not fully understand what they’re signing up for.
Caught Red-Handed
When WIRED reached out to Bruno Mars’ representatives, they were clear: “To be clear, we were never approached … nor were we in any discussions regarding a partnership or tour access.” This means Worldcoin was promoting a completely fictional business relationship.
This isn’t Worldcoin’s first controversy. The company has been banned in several countries over privacy concerns. Critics worry about a tech company collecting iris scans from millions of people, especially when many users don’t speak English well or understand the long-term implications.
The fake partnership raises new questions about Worldcoin’s marketing practices. If they’re willing to invent celebrity endorsements, what else might they be stretching the truth about? For a company already facing trust issues over biometric data collection, getting caught promoting fake partnerships is particularly damaging.
Worldcoin hasn’t responded to requests for comment about the Bruno Mars situation. The company continues operating in countries that haven’t banned it, but this latest incident adds to growing skepticism about their business practices.
