Kenya Suspends WorldCoin Operations, Launches Investigation For Collecting Public Data
The Ministry of Interior of Kenya has suspended the operations of Sam Altman’s WorldCoin and launched an investigation into the company for collecting public data.
Kenya’s Ministry of Interior and National Administration issued a statement earlier today saying that the government is concerned by the ongoing activities of an organization calling itself “WorldCoin” which is involved in registration of citizens through their eyeball/iris data.
The ministry further informed that relevant security, financial services and data protection agencies have commenced inquiries and investigations to establish the authenticity and legality of WorldCoin’s activities.
The authorities are looking into the safety and protection of the data being harvested, and how the harvesters intend to use the data.
As reported earlier, WorldCoin is already facing regulatory backlash in many countires over its controversial iris scan program.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki assured that the Kenyan government would undertake all measures to make sure public safety and the integrity of the financial transactions involving such a large number of citizens be satisfactorily provided upfront.
The investigation was launched after people in large numbers started gathering outside malls where iris scans were being taken through WorldCoin’s Orb.
The minister further reassured that appropriate action will be taken on any natural or juristic person who furthers, aids, abets or otherwise engages in or is connected with the activities until the government deems WorldCoin is safe.
Following the government’s directive against WorldCoin, several police officers were deployed to disperse hundreds of people who were queuing at KICC, Nairobi for getting
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