- Kenya halts Worldcoin data collection over privacy and security concerns.
- Worldcoin attracts attention with iris scanning and incentives.
- Regulators scrutinize Worldcoin’s privacy protection in multiple countries.
Kenya is taking cautious steps regarding Worldcoin, the eyeball-scanning crypto project initiated by Sam Altman, the founder of OpenAI. In response to privacy and security concerns, the Kenyan government has issued a directive to halt data collection within the country. The project’s operations are under review during this period, as reported by Reuters previously.
Worldcoin utilizes iris scanning to establish distinctive digital identities that can be connected to digital currencies managed through their World App. Since its launch last week, the project has attracted significant attention, with people lining up in major cities worldwide to undergo eyeball scanning using Worldcoin’s distinctive silver orbs.
However, the Communications Authority of Kenya has expressed its intention to assess Worldcoin critically. The evaluation is prompted by concerns about the security and storage protocols for the collected iris scans, as well as uncertainties surrounding the associated cryptocurrency. Additionally, the authority takes issue with Worldcoin’s practice of offering incentives to individuals for participating in the iris scanning process.
According to a report by Rest of World, Kenyan citizens were granted 25 worldcoins, approximately equivalent to 7,100 Kenyan shillings (about $50), as a reward for signing up for the Worldcoin service. However, the report highlighted that only a limited number of people were familiar with the project’s objectives, with many primarily interested in obtaining the $50 incentive.
Due to the suspension imposed by Kenyan authorities, there were significant repercussions, leading to the disappointment of thousands of people who were waiting in line to have their irises scanned, as reported by The Standard, a Kenyan newspaper.
In response to the suspension, Alex Blania, the CEO of Tools for Humanity, the parent company of Worldcoin, announced on Twitter that World ID verifications have been temporarily halted. The company is actively collaborating with local regulators to address their concerns. Blania also stressed that “World ID is built for privacy” and reassured that the global rollout of the project will continue once the regulatory issues are resolved.
“TFH has paused World ID verifications in Kenya as we continue to work with local regulators to address their questions. We apologize to everyone in Kenya for the delay. World ID is built for privacy. We look forward to resuming operations, while continuing global rollout.”
Alex Blania, Worldcoin ceo
Worldcoin is currently under scrutiny not only in Kenya but also in other countries such as France, Germany, and the UK. Regulators in these nations are carefully examining the project to assess any potential risks that may arise concerning privacy protection.
In response to these investigations, Worldcoin maintains that the biometric data collected from iris scans never leaves the orb and is permanently deleted after the signup process. Instead, the company retains an IrisCode, a unique numerical representation of an individual’s identity, to ensure the utmost privacy and security of personal information.
