The ambitious cryptocurrency and digital identity initiative, Worldcoin, has encountered a rough start in Kenya, with the government stepping in to halt all local operations associated with it.
On August 2, Kenya’s Minister of Internal Security, Kithure Kindiki, made an official announcement on Facebook, revealing that the country has suspended Worldcoin’s activities until relevant public agencies can certify that there are no risks posed to Kenyans.
In a carefully worded statement, Minister Kindiki emphasized that various security, financial services, and data protection agencies have initiated inquiries and investigations to determine the authenticity and legality of Worldcoin’s activities. The specific concern of the Kenyan government centers around Worldcoin’s practice of collecting vital identification information, such as iris scans, in exchange for a digital ID.
“The government of Kenya is closely monitoring the situation,” Minister Kindiki warned, “and appropriate action will be taken against any individual or organization found furthering, aiding, abetting, or engaging in any activities associated with Worldcoin.”
Worldcoin’s mission revolves around addressing concerns that distinguishing between humans and AI bots will become increasingly difficult as AI technology advances. To combat this, the startup devised a digital ID system based on proof-of-personhood, where an individual’s iris is scanned to generate a unique World ID.
However, the project’s implementation has raised eyebrows in Kenya, prompting the government to take decisive action. The suspension of Worldcoin’s local activities comes as a significant setback for the startup, necessitating compliance with the country’s regulatory measures and addressing the concerns raised by the government.
Moreover, this development serves as a reminder of the challenges that emerging technologies face as they attempt to navigate the regulatory landscape and gain public trust. Worldcoin will now have to work closely with Kenyan authorities to ensure compliance with data protection and security standards while fostering transparency in their operations. The fate of the cryptocurrency and digital identity project in Kenya remains uncertain until the government’s inquiries and investigations are concluded.
