The Kenyan government has suspended all activities associated with the cryptocurrency project Worldcoin in the country following data breach and privacy concerns. The country’s Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said the government is deeply troubled by the ongoing activities of Worldcoin, which has been involved in the registration of citizens through the collection of eyeball or iris data.
The Government said the suspension will remain in effect until relevant security, financial services, and data protection agencies can thoroughly investigate the authenticity and legality of Worldcoin’s activities. Additionally, the government is keen on understanding the safety and protection measures regarding the data being harvested and how the harvesters intend to use this sensitive information.
Worldcoin, a blockchain company founded by OpenAI’s chief, Sam Altman, had attracted significant attention in Kenya by offering citizens free tokens in exchange for their iris scans. The tokens, known as WLD, are currently valued at $54. The allure of these tokens led thousands of Kenyans to participate in the project, despite some individuals admitting to having limited knowledge about cryptocurrency.
The project has raised several privacy concerns, especially considering that the iris scans could be used to create a universal ID system. However, Worldcoin claims that the biometric data collected from the iris scans will be protected through encryption technology and subsequently deleted.
TechCabal, a technology-focused publication, has also reported instances of iris scans from various sources being traded on the dark web, raising additional worries about data security. Nevertheless, Worldcoin has registered as a data processor with the Kenyan Office of the Data Protection Commissioner under its parent company’s name, Tools for Humanity GmbH, based in Berlin. This registration seemingly granted the company permission to collect private data from Kenyan citizens.
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