Bitcoin might top $70,000 next, but we have another ‘coin’ on our mind this week. Typically in the news for his dealings with OpenAI, Sam Altman’s Worldcoin project, by his company Tools for Humanity, has been banned in Spain.

While we have spent considerable time covering hardware and games, Unit9 - already a Playable Media veteran agency - has launched a new agency division called Spatial to meet the demands of brand clients in a new medium.

In the Playable Media Report this week

• Spain places a ban on Sam Altman’s, Worldcoin

• Unit9 launches Spatial

Let's get it...

Spain places a ban on Sam Altman’s, Worldcoin

Spain has imposed a temporary ban on Worldcoin, a digital ID cryptocurrency venture founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, due to concerns regarding the collection and processing of biometric data. The Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) has issued a precautionary measure that halts Worldcoin's activities in the country for up to three months.

Wait, what is Worldcoin?

Worldcoin is a digital identification platform that gives off Minority Report-esque dystopian future vibes. Worldcoin's system involves scanning users' eyeballs with a device called "orbs" to create a unique form of identification called "World ID," after which users receive Worldcoin cryptocurrency.

The AEPD has requested that Tools for Humanity, the company responsible for collecting and processing users' personal data, cease gathering new data and stop using the data already collected in Spain. This decision comes after the AEPD received several complaints about Worldcoin's practices, including alleged insufficient information provided to users, the collection of data from minors, and issues related to the inability to withdraw consent.

The AEPD has highlighted the need for "special protection" when processing biometric data due to the "high risks to the rights of individuals," which includes concerns about potential data transfers to third parties.

The ban in Spain is part of a broader scrutiny of Worldcoin's operations, with other countries like France, Germany, and Kenya also investigating the company's practices. Worldcoin has faced technical issues since its launch, and there have been reports of users being unable to claim their tokens after scanning their eyes, as well as instances of the system being tricked into creating multiple accounts for the same person.

Why should you care?

This development is interesting and may carry some irony, or it could signify the beginning of a new struggle between private and public identification online.

Spain's position might be an initial flag of legitimate concerns, or it could be a central government attempting to slow down the rollout of a service and solution it believes should be created, managed, and controlled by the government.

Worldcoin's mission states:

So, for them to run afoul of privacy practices in the eyes of this Spanish agency makes for an interesting development. Worldcoin asserts that certain parts of the internet will require a human entity, as much of what we engage with online will be created or enhanced by AI.

The goal of World ID, a Worldcoin tool, is to always answer the question, "Are you a human?" independently from central government Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures. Think of it as a digital passport to use when you’re online to prove you are a real person.

The Tools for Humanity team asserts that it would be bad to have millions of fake (AI-powered) profiles (on X, formerly known as Twitter) all stating opinions around a single political goal, for instance. I think we can agree with that.

If you are new to Worldcoin, have a look around their website (which is very well designed, I should add) and come to your own conclusions.

Unit9 launches Spatial

Unit9, an innovative production studio renowned for its expertise in crafting immersive and emerging technologies, has unveiled a new division named Spatial. This dedicated division focuses on spatial computing, encompassing mixed reality (MR), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and other immersive technologies. Spatial by Unit9 aims to seize the opportunities presented by the evolving medium of spatial computing, particularly with the imminent releases of new spatial computing headsets such as Meta's Quest 3 and Apple's Vision Pro.

Spatial by Unit9 made its official debut in January, coinciding with the launch of Apple's Vision Pro headset. It concentrates on pioneering new spatial-friendly methodologies, UX approaches, and investing in R&D to push the boundaries of current technology. With a robust portfolio in AR and VR, Unit9 has undertaken noteworthy projects like SPACE INVADERS: World Defense and Barbie’s transformation of Gap’s flagship store in Times Square, showcasing its ability to guide and assist brands in navigating the potential challenges of future spatial computing.

Why Should You Care?

You know the old adage: “Great hardware requires great content to come to life.” But, before that, great content requires excellent brand partnerships to thrive.

This division of Unit9 seeks to liberate brands from the limitations of traditional screens, offering the capability to deliver brand campaigns on new spatial computing platforms, thereby unlocking new marketing opportunities that will inevitably drive the first groundbreaking brand campaigns on the Vision Pro, Quest 3, and beyond.

Their maiden experiment, titled “Riders: Connected Co-Presence,” was conceived and developed over a three-week sprint. Riders is a two-player mixed reality game employing scale, perspective, room geometry, and asymmetric play to explore how spatial computing can enhance shared experiences.

Conveniently, they posed the question, “Why this matters,” in their project summary. In their words:

Charming. And coming from Unit9, I think it hits the mark.

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