MADRID, March 11 (Reuters) - Spain's High Court said on Monday that it upheld a temporary ban placed on an iris-scanning venture by Tools for Humanity, dismissing an appeal by the Worldcoin owner.

The court said in a statement that the "safeguarding of the public interest" must prevail, and that in the event of an eventual favourable judgment lifting the ban, Tools for Humanity would be compensated for any lost income, thereby rejecting the argument of "irreparable damage" alleged by the appellant. (Reporting by Emma Pinedo, writing by Aislinn Laing)