The Kenyan Ministry of Interior has taken the decision to suspend the operations of WorldCoin, a controversial tech firm, and any other entities that may be engaging the public in similar activities. The suspension comes amidst concerns over the safety and protection of public data, particularly in relation to the collection of information through iris scans during the registration of citizens.
In an official statement released on August 2, 2023, the Ministry highlighted the need to investigate the authenticity and legality of WorldCoin's activities, as well as the safety and intended use of the data being harvested. Relevant security, financial services, and data protection agencies have been tasked with conducting inquiries and investigations to ensure public safety and data integrity.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki emphasized the government's commitment to safeguarding the financial transactions and data of a large number of citizens, demanding that these assurances be provided upfront. Any person, natural or juristic, found to be supporting or engaging in such activities will face appropriate action until the government deems WorldCoin and similar entities safe.
Following the Ministry's directive, police officers were deployed to disperse crowds at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, where hundreds of Kenyans had gathered for the iris scan enrollment exercise.
Notably, the government's suspension came shortly after ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo had stated that WorldCoin had not violated any laws, and the government was closely monitoring their operations and data protection measures. Owalo acknowledged that WorldCoin had found loopholes in Kenya's current data protection laws to launch its operations in the country, raising security and regulatory concerns.
In the past week, Kenyans have been queuing to enroll in WorldCoin's initiative, which offers users 25 free tokens (WLD) upon verifying their identity through iris scanning. These tokens can be converted to cryptocurrencies and subsequently cashed out as liquid money, with 25 tokens currently valued at Ksh7,786.
The suspension of WorldCoin's operations has raised significant questions about data protection, security, and regulatory oversight in Kenya's rapidly evolving tech landscape. As investigations continue, the government remains focused on ensuring the safety and privacy of its citizens' data while scrutinizing the activities of such tech companies operating within its borders.