The Worldcoin cryptocurrency project faces suspension in Kenya as local authorities prioritize the security of citizens.
Concerns surrounding the project’s data collection practices, particularly the gathering of iris data, have prompted the government to take precautionary measures.
The decision comes as Kenyan authorities seek to thoroughly assess potential risks and ensure the protection of citizens’ sensitive information.
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Kenya’s Minister of Internal Security Halts Worldcoin Activities Pending Risk Certification
On August 2, Kenya’s Minister of Internal Security, Kithure Kindiki, announced on Facebook that the country has suspended the activities of Worldcoin.
The suspension will remain in effect until relevant public agencies have certified that there are no risks to Kenyans.
Minister Kithure Kindiki states, “Relevant security, financial services, and data protection agencies have commenced inquiries and investigations to establish the authenticity and legality of the aforesaid activities.”
The Minister emphasized that the Kenyan government’s primary concern is Worldcoin’s collection of vital identification data, such as iris scans, in exchange for a digital ID.
Additionally, the statement warned that any individual or entity involved in promoting, assisting, or supporting such activities would face appropriate consequences.
However, a user contradicts Minister’s statement, saying that the Ministry of Interior and National Administration needs to be proactive to ensure safe governance.
“Despite the presence of relevant security agencies like NIS/DCI and Cyber security agencies, the government waited till the said “harvesting” was done,” the user added.
Recall that the Worldcoin project was formally introduced on July 24, 2023, following a three-year development period.
Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, the company responsible for the popular AI-based chatbot ChatGPT, co-founded the project.
Worldcoin’s main goal is to address the growing difficulty distinguishing between humans and online bots as AI technology advances.
To tackle this challenge, the startup devised a digital ID system using proof of personhood.
This digital ID is created by scanning a person’s iris, resulting in a unique World ID that sets them apart from AI entities.
German Data Watchdog Initiates Investigation into Worldcoin Cryptocurrency Project, Official Confirms
According to Michael Will, the president of the Bavarian State Office for Data Protection Supervision, an investigation into the Worldcoin cryptocurrency project began in November 2022.
The investigation was initiated due to concerns that the project aims to process a significant amount of “sensitive data” using innovative technology.
Michael Will stated that the Bavarian state regulator is leading the investigation into Worldcoin.
The investigation is being conducted because the company’s subsidiary, Tools For Humanity, is based in Germany and falls under the jurisdiction of the European Union’s data protection regulation.
According to Will, these technologies are neither widely adopted nor thoroughly analyzed for their specific core purpose in transferring financial information.”
This results in several risks, such as concerns about whether users have provided explicit consent for processing their highly sensitive biometric data based on “sufficient and clear,” Will said.