Worldcoin suspended in Kenya over privacy, security concerns
Digital identity and financial network' Worldcoin ha d its operations suspended in Kenya after regulators raised concerns about its collection and storage of sensitive biometric data. Worldcoin had seen strong demand from Kenyan citizens to register for the platform, which uses a 'chrome orb' to scan the irises and faces of people agreeing to sign up for a share of its new WLD currency. However, Kenyan regulators pointed out that Worldcoin had no need to collect users’ iris data, and was not regulated in the country. ➕ October 2023 . A Kenyan parliamentary committee recommended (pdf) that Worldcoin had violated Kenyan law and be shut down until the country established proper regulations over virtual assets. The committee also accused the company of ‘espionage’ , suggested it had been scanning the eyeballs of children , and called for criminal investigations into Tools for Humanity Corp., the company behind Worldcoin, Tools for Humanity GmbH, Germany (Worldcoin), and its Kenyan partners. System 🤖 Worldcoin iris biometric s Operator: Tools for Humanity/Worldcoin Developer: Tools for Humanity/Worldcoin Country: Kenya Sector: Banking/financial services Purpose: Develop digital identity Technology: Iris scanning; Facial detection; Vital signs detection; Blockchain; Virtual currency Issue: Privacy; Security Legal, regulatory 👩🏼⚖️ Ad hoc Committee on the Enquiry into the Activities of Worldcoin in Kenya (2023). Report on the Enquiry into the Activities and Operations of WorldCin in Kenya (pdf) Communications Authority of Kenya (2023). Joint Statement on the Operations of the Worldcoin in Kenya Kenya Data Protection Action 2019
- Date it happened
- 2023-08-01
- Organisation involved
- Tools for Humanity/Worldcoin
- Product, system or model
- Worldcoin
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