World-Check[1] is a database of politically exposed persons (PEPs) and 'heightened risk' individuals and organizations. World Check formed part of the Thomson Reuters Risk Management Solutions suite before being transferred to Refinitiv after a merger deal with The Blackstone Group in October 2018.[2]
World-Check was founded in 2000 by David Leppan and registered in London. In 2008, World-Check launched Country-Check, an index which ranks over 240 countries and territories worldwide in terms of risk.
In 2009, World-Check acquired IntegraScreen.[3] In 2011, World-Check received independent assurance under the International Standard on Assurance Engagements ISAE 3000. Also in 2011, Thomson Reuters acquired World-Check for their governance, risk management, and compliance unit. In October 2018, Thomson Reuters closed a deal with The Blackstone Group and, as a result of this merger, World-Check is owned by Refinitiv.
World-Check is used by several financial firms, such as Lloyd's of London since 2008,[4] Maecenas, and SAI Global as a risk management partner.[5]
In 2017, World-Check admitted that the Palestine Solidarity Campaign should never have been placed on their database at all, and specifically, should not have been associated with terrorism.[6] World-Check agreed to pay compensation and apologize to Finsbury Park Mosque.[7]
In 2017, Quilliam founder Maajid Nawaz was found to have been listed as a terrorist in World-Check following an investigation by Vice.[8] Thomson Reuters subsequently removed his name from the list, apologized, and paid an undisclosed amount in damages as part of the settlement following the threat of a lawsuit by Nawaz.[9] [10]