Kenya Stands Firm on Worldcoin Suspension Amid U.S. Pressure, Citing Security and Integrity Concerns
Summary:
Kenya's Interior Minister, Kithure Kindiki, has announced that the government is maintaining its suspension on the operations of cryptocurrency project, Worldcoin. This decision comes despite pressure from the U.S. government to revoke the ban. In addition to security and integrity concerns, the Kenyan government has reservation over Worldcoin's practice of gathering sensitive information like iris scans for digital IDs. Subsequently, a 15-member parliamentary committee has been arranged to scrutinize Worldcoin. A court order has also been issued preserving any data obtained by Worldcoin amid an ongoing lawsuit.
The Kenyan Minister of Interior and National Administration has dismissed an appeal from the U.S. government to discontinue the ban on Worldcoin, a cryptocurrency initiative. Local news source Businessdailyafrica reports that Kithure Kindiki, the Interior Cabinet Secretary, informed the Kenyan legislature that Worldcoin's suspension, initiated in August 2023, will be maintained until guarantees of transaction safety and integrity are established.
Speaking before the National Assembly's Public Petitions committee, Prof Kindiki disclosed that the U.S. government has been pressuring Kenya to abandon Worldcoin's suspension. The Kenyan Internal Security Minister made a public announcement on August 2 via Facebook, revealing the suspension of Worldcoin activities until relevant agencies could confirm the absence of risk to Kenyan citizens. The primary concern revolves around Worldcoin's practice of gathering sensitive ID data, such as iris scans, in return for a digital ID.
Roughly three weeks post-suspension, a 15-member parliamentary committee, led by Gabriel Tongoyo MP, was appointed by the Kenyan government to examine the contentious crypto venture. Worldcoin gained local notoriety as masses flooded registration venues across Kenya, scanning their iris with the Worldcoin Orb device and collecting 25 WLD tokens equivalent to around 7,700 Kenyan shillings (about $54.60).
In addition to the parliamentary committee, a court order was issued suspending Worldcoin activities ensuing a lawsuit filed by the data commissioner's office. The court mandated that any data gathered by Worldcoin between April the previous year and August 2023 should be retained until the lawsuit's conclusion.
After three years of development, Worldcoin was officially unveiled on July 24, 2023. The project, co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, is aimed at making the distinction between humans and online AI bots as AI technology advances. Worldcoin has devised a digital ID system, based on proof-of-personhood, to make this distinction. This digital ID is produced by scanning an individual's iris and issuing them a World ID.
Published At
3/22/2024 2:36:57 PM
Disclaimer: Algoine does not endorse any content or product on this page. Readers should conduct their own research before taking any actions related to the asset, company, or any information in this article and assume full responsibility for their decisions. This article should not be considered as investment advice. Our news is prepared with AI support.
Do you suspect this content may be misleading, incomplete, or inappropriate in any way, requiring modification or removal?
We appreciate your report.