Kenya Halts Worldcoin Cryptocurrency Project Utilizing Eye Scanning Technology
The interior ministry of Kenya has halted the operations of Worldcoin in the country, while local authorities investigate the potential security and data protection concerns linked to the cryptocurrency project that utilizes eyeball scanning.
“Government has immediately suspended the operations of Worldcoin and any other entity that may similarly engage with the Kenyan public until relevant public agencies confirm that there is no risk to the public,” Home Affairs Minister Kithure Kindiki said in a statement on Wednesday.
Worldcoin – which launched last week – is an attempt to create a global network of digital identities by using a small device called a “ball” to scan people’s eyeballs. This identity, or World ID, gives its holder a “proof of identity” in Worldcoin parlance. Users are rewarded for participating with Worldcoin tokens.
To date, more than 2 million people have signed up for World ID, reflecting the new compensation model and the reputation of one of its founders, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, who created the popular ChatGPT chatbot service.
In addition to the digital ID, some Kenyans received 7,000 shillings ($49) in cash incentives and crypto tokens, attracting thousands more to the recruitment centers, local outlet Citizen Media reported on its website.
Kenya’s capital markets authority said Worldcoin products are not regulated in the country and urged people to be “wary of possible fraudulent schemes that may emerge in the crypto-token over-the-counter market,” according to a statement sent on Wednesday.
Worldcoin did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
