Kenyan Authorities Find Problems with Worldcoin Project
The Kenyan authorities have raised concerns about Worldcoin’s operations, despite initially finding the project compliant with data protection laws. Worldcoin, co-founded by Sam Altman, uses iris scans for user verification and offers a cryptocurrency token. The company claims that biometric data is stored on its hardware and erased unless users consent to its retention. Kenya’s Minister for the Digital Economy stated that the project is lawful under data protection rules, but the Ministry of the Interior suspended its operations citing financial security and data protection concerns. The Office of Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) and Communications Authority also expressed regulatory concerns, including unclear data storage and consent practices. Worldcoin Foundation attributed the suspension to crowd control issues and plans to improve privacy measures and engage with local officials.
Key Points:
- Kenyan authorities initially found Worldcoin’s operations compliant with data protection laws
- Ministry of the Interior suspended the project citing financial security and data protection concerns
- ODPC and Communications Authority identified regulatory concerns, such as unclear data storage and consent practices
- Worldcoin Foundation attributed the suspension to crowd control issues and plans to improve privacy measures
- Worldcoin aims to work with local officials to increase understanding of its privacy measures
Hot Take:
The suspension of Worldcoin’s operations in Kenya raises questions about the project’s compliance with data protection regulations. While the company claims to prioritize privacy, concerns have been raised about the security and storage of sensitive data, as well as the aggregation of citizen data in the hands of private actors. This incident highlights the need for clear and robust regulations to ensure the protection of user data in the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency landscape.
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