A Parliamentary Committee Recommends Shutting Down Worldcoin Operations in Kenya
A parliamentary committee in Kenya has issued a report recommending that regulators shut down the operations of Worldcoin in the country. The report, released by Kenya’s parliament on September 30, states that Worldcoin has continued to collect personal data from Kenyan residents despite being ordered to stop in May. The committee believes that this may include information from minors. They recommend that Kenyan authorities disable Worldcoin’s virtual platforms and investigate its companies for potential criminal charges.
Continued Registration and Privacy Concerns
The parliamentary report highlights concerns about privacy for Kenya’s residents. It notes that Worldcoin’s online app is still registering Kenyans, disregarding the court order and administrative directions to stop. Additionally, the report states that it is difficult to determine the number of “orbs” in the country, which are the devices used by Worldcoin for iris scans. The committee recommends that the government consider implementing a comprehensive framework for digital assets and virtual asset service providers while amending existing regulations to address cybercrimes and tax reporting requirements.
Threats to Statehood and Global Monetary Systems
The lawmakers behind the report express concerns about the unregulated adoption and use of cryptocurrency as an attempt to fully decentralize global monetary systems. They believe this poses a threat to statehood. Worldcoin, which aims to distinguish real people from bots by using retinal scans for identity verification, has gained millions of sign-ups since its launch. However, regulators worldwide have raised concerns about the project’s compliance with data protection and user privacy guidelines.
Hot Take: Regulators Crack Down on Worldcoin in Kenya
A parliamentary committee in Kenya has recommended that regulators shut down Worldcoin’s operations in the country due to its continued collection of personal data from residents. The committee’s report emphasizes privacy concerns and the potential risks posed by unregulated cryptocurrency adoption. This crackdown reflects a growing global trend of regulators scrutinizing projects like Worldcoin for compliance with data protection and user privacy regulations. As governments grapple with the rise of digital assets, they are calling for comprehensive frameworks and amendments to existing regulations to address these issues. This case serves as a reminder that regulatory oversight is crucial to protect individuals and maintain the stability of statehood.